Visual Processing in Deaf and Hearing Signers:
Our laboratory has had a longstanding interest in studying how visual perception changes as a result of one’s own personal sensory experience during development. 
 
One way we investigate this is by studying visual processing in deaf adults, who experienced altered sensory input (i.e., no auditory input) and acquired a visual language (i.e., American Sign Language) during early development.  Using simple, computerized visual tasks conducted in our lab, we compare visual processing in three groups: deaf signers, hearing signers, and hearing nonsigners, in order to determine if changes are due to sign language experience or deafness.

Image Statistics:
It is widely believed that experience with the visual environment shapes how we see the world. Scientists also believe that our visual systems have evolved to “match” the statistical properties of natural stimuli. Another related line of work we do involves measuring natural image statistics of ASL, using videos of signers, in order to describe and quantify the visual signal that neurons in brain use when watching someone sign.

Relevant Publications:

• Bosworth, RG, Bartlett, MS, & Dobkins, KR (2006) . Image statistics of American Sign Language: comparison with faces and natural scenes. ÊJournal of Optical Society of America A 23, 2085-2096.
• Bosworth RG & Dobkins KR (2002a). The effects of spatial attention on motion processing in deaf signers, hearing signers, and hearing non-signers.  Brain and Cognition, 49(1), 152-169.
• Bosworth RG & Dobkins KR (2002b).  Visual field asymmetries for motion processing in deaf and hearing signers.  Brain and Cognition, 49(1), 170-181.
• Fine I, Finney EM, Boynton GM & Dobkins KR (2005). Comparing the Effects of Auditory Deprivation and Sign Language within the Auditory and Visual Cortex, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 17(10): 1621-1637.
• Finney E, Clementz BA, Hickok G & Dobkins KR (2003). Visual stimuli activate auditory cortex in deaf subjects: Evidence from magnetoencephalography. NeuroReport, 14, 1425-1427. Ê
• Finney E & Dobkins KR (2001). Visual contrast sensitivity in deaf vs. hearing populations:  Exploring the perceptual consequences of auditory deprivation and experience with a visual language.  Cognitive Brain Research, 11, 171-183.
  

Rain Bosworth, Ph.D.

Karen Dobkins, Ph.D.

Marie Chuldzhyan, B.A.

We are currently seeking highly proficient signers, both deaf and hearing, for participation in these studies. If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact Marie at mchuldzhyan@ucsd.edu or (858) 822-0642.These studies involve either watching a computer monitor or signing for a video, for about 1 to 3 hours.

Free parking and an hourly pay is provided for all of our participants. We look forward to hearing from you!