What Can Spatial Deficits Teach Us About Feature Binding and Spatial Maps?

The “binding problem” is discussed with reference to feature integration and visual search. Neuropsychological and neurophysiological findings support the existence of multiple visual areas within the primate cortex that respond to primary features of objects and spatial locations. Evidence from studies with hemineglect and Balint’s syndrome supports the role of spatial attention in feature integration and demonstrates the necessity for an intact, explicit spatial representation. Some implicit spatial maps remain intact but are not sufficient to support the perception of properly bound features. The evidence suggests strong interactions between parietal spatial representations and temporal feature representations in feature integration.