Shedding Light on COVIS: Evidence from Optical Neuroimaging for Dissociable Category Learning Systems
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: The COVIS theory of category learning posits separate roles for two different category learning systems. An explicit system mediated by prefrontal regions is involved in learning rule-described categories and an implicit system mediated by the tail of the caudate nucleus is involved in learning non rule-described categories. We conducted two behavioural experiments to validate a carefully controlled categorization task intended to dissociate these explicit and implicit systems. Then we applied fNIRS neuroimaging within-subjects to localize a neuroanatomical dissociation. We localized two effects to R DLPFC (1) a simple single-dissociation of higher activity in RB categorization, and (2) a negative relationship between overall task performance and the magnitude of neural activation. We conclude that explicit and implicit cortical activity are dissociable by neuroimaging, and that fNIRS is a feasible modality to study human categorization.
Source: PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints)
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7213523409