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.