On the schematic representation of binding in perception

The problem of sensory integration in the brain (the 'binding' problem) is one of the most important problems in cognitive neuroscience still unresolved today. In this paper, the author formulates a schematic representation of the integration of sensory perception. The author argues that it is advantageous to divide the binding process into two different modes, namely the 'basic' binding process and the 'higher' (functional) binding process. The 'basic' binding process is assumed to be independent of attention, whereas the 'higher' (functional) binding process is assumed to depend on attention. The author argues that the basic binding works to formulate the 'reference field', against which the higher features of an object are projected through the higher (functional) binding process.