認知·印刷·紙の諸科学からみた紙メディアの新たな可能性 第12回 読みにおける視覚情報処理の脳科学的解釈

摘要

The twelfth article of this series will focus on "Brain science" and its relationship to "visual information processing" in reading. The overall contents are described in the following sequence.rn(1) IntroductionrnAs described in the preceding article, the issue of memory is ultimately the issue of formation of neural circuits either in hippo campus or on brain cortex. This article extends the issue of memory to brain science.rn(2) Brain scientific view of reading in mediarnSensual stimuli other than visual stimulus are also significant as they affect human perception according the situated cognition theory. Overall information processing in reading includes visual information processing, renewal of cognitive structure, memory formation, and memory recall.rn(3) Brain structure and information processingrnAmong three components of brain, I.e., cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain-stem, cerebrum is the most important area. Particularly, cerebral neo cortex plays significant roles in high-order brain functions and divided into four areas. Association areas are important as they integrate and control a variety of different information.rn(4) Process of visual information processingrnVisual information through eye is projected on retina and sent to visual cortex located on occipital lobe. Classified information (color, shape, motion, space, etc.) is processed and finally leads to identify an object.rn(5) Parallel information processingrnNewly incoming information is contrasted with prior information in a cognitive structure and the newly reorganized cognitive structure is created. Working memory is required in this parallel information processing, I.e., retention and processing.rn(6) Information processing of memoryrnAlthough the memory is the formation of neural circuitor network on the brain, this mechanism is under the control of brain, Human behavior, thinking, and language are fundamentally based on the accumulation of memory throughout one's life. Memory can be classified as short-term memory and long-term memory. Hippo campus and cerebral cortex are deeply associated with the function of memory. Memory formation and memory recall are complex processes of brain functions.rn(7) Applicability of brain science in media design and associated issuesrnBrain is unattained and mysterious area of human body. However, the recent attainments of brain science have started to be applied to a variety of industrial and educational areas. Since reading through media is the process of brain, brain science will have potential effectivity in these areas.rn(8) Brain science and media designrnBrain science will be effective in optimizing the readability and visibility of conventional paper-based books and e-books. Particularly, brain science will be helpful to decrease the sense of discomfort and increase the ability of fixation on long-term memory.rn(9) EpiloguernSince reading plays significant roles in the formation of human knowledge, information processing in reading has to be elucidated by brain science. Brain science will be helpful to solve the controversy over the recent electronic school text books.%紙の書籍でも電子書籍でも，その表示 メディアとしての機能を考えた場合には 表示メディアから発信された視覚刺激が 脳内で情報処理され，最終的にどのよう な形態で記憶されるかが重要となる．前 回扱った神経心理学の問題として考える と，短期記憶のための神経回路のまま海 馬に短時間とどまるだけなのか，長期記 憶のために大脳皮質の神経回路に転移し 定着するのか，と言い換えられる．