Veijo Virsu (1998) Efference Does not Foil Perception
. Psycoloquy: 9(84) Efference Knowledge (10)
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Psycoloquy 9(84): Efference Does not Foil Perception
EFFERENCE DOES NOT FOIL PERCEPTION
Commentary on Jarvilehto on Efference-Knowledge
Veijo Virsu
Department of Psychology
P.O. Box 4 (Fabianinkatu 28)
FIN-00014
University of Helsinki
Finland
Simo Vanni
Brain Research Unit
Low Temperature Laboratory
Helsinki University of Technology
P.O. Box 2200
FIN-02015 HUT Finland.
veijo.virsu@helsinki.fi
vanni@neuro.hut.fi
Abstract
The target article by Jarvilehto (1998) makes the valid
empirical point that perception is not the simple, serial, one-way
process it is often thought to be. However, we cannot agree with
the conclusion that senses are not transmitters of environmental
information. Perceptual systems have developed to subserve our
actions, hence actions and intentions modify sensory signals at
several levels of processing, but the senses can nevertheless be
studied as transmitters of information, apart from actions. It is
also valid to partition a system so as to study its role in
isolation from the system as a whole.
Keywords
afference, artificial life, efference, epistemology,
evolution, Gibson, knowledge, motor theory, movement, perception,
receptors, robotics, sensation, sensorimotor systems, situatedness
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