Too slow to see? Conscious vision and real-time behavior - UTU Research Portal

A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Too slow to see? Conscious vision and real-time behavior

Authors: Arstila, Valtteri; Railo, Henry

Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Publication year: 2026

Article number: e165

Volume: 49

ISSN: 0140-525X

eISSN: 1469-1825

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X25102902

Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access

Publication channel's open availability : No Open Access publication channel

Web address : https://doi.org/10.1017/s0140525x25102902

Abstract

We challenge Fleming and Michel’s claim that conscious vision is too slow for real-time action. Correlative and functional evidence suggest that conscious perception can emerge around 200 ms post-stimulus and guide behavior. Due to their reliance on rare postdiction effects and assumptions about unconscious vision, they underestimate the speed of conscious vision and overestimate the functional relevance of unconscious vision.

Funding information in the publication:
The commentary was partially supported by the Research Council of Finland project No. 342166.