Evidence for a third visual pathway specialized for social perception

Models of visual cortex propose that it contains two functionally distinct pathways. A ventral pathway specialised for visual object recognition, and a dorsal pathway specialised for performing visually guided physical actions. While remaining influential these models no longer fit the empirical data. Specifically, neither pathway accounts for the neural mechanisms that underpin dynamic social interaction. Social interactions are dependent on visually analysing and understanding the actions of others and responding appropriately. One brain area, the superior temporal sulcus (STS), computes the sensory information that facilitates these processes. The STS selectively responds to moving biological stimuli (e.g., faces and bodies) and computes the visual social cues that help primates understand and interpret the actions of other organisms. These include facial expressions, eye gaze and body movements. I will present empirical evidence from human and non-human primates that support the existence of third visual pathway specialised for social perception.