Relating Identification and Categorization:  Separating Low-Level Perceptual Processes from High-Level Decisional Processes  Different goals require different decisions. For example, the forensic scientist might be asked to determine whether a bullet was fired from a specific .357 Magnum found at a crime scene (identification). Alternatively, the scientist might be asked to determine only whether the bullet was fired from some .357 Magnum (categorization). Although the goals of identification and categorization tasks are different, it is likely that the psychological processes, and underlying brain mechanisms are related.For example, both tasks require similar perceptual processes (visual, tactile, etc.), and probably related decisional processes. Our lab is interested in studying the complex interplay between low-level perceptual processes, and high-level decisional processes across these different but related tasks, and on linking these processes to underlying brain mechanisms. Our approach is to apply quantitative models of these tasks to data collected in each task. However, whereas the traditional approach would be to model the data from an identification problem separate from the data from a categorization task our approach is to model simultaneously the data from both tasks by predicting performance in categorization from performance in identification. Our research suggests that anterior and posterior attentional brain systems and mechanisms are critical to an understanding of performance in these important tasks.   [main page]