Developments in visual neuroscience and neural-network modeling indicate the
existence of separate pathways for the processing of form and surface attributes
of a visual object. In line with prior theoretical proposals, it is assumed that
the processing of form can be explicit or conscious only as or after the surface
property such as color is filled in. In conjunction with extant psychophysical
findings, these developments point to interesting distinctions between
nonconscious and conscious processing of these attributes, specifically in
relation to distinguishable temporal dynamics. At nonconscious levels form
processing proceeds faster than surface processing, whereas in contrast, at
conscious levels form processing proceeds slower than surface processing. I
mplications of separate form and surface processing for current and future
psychophysical and neuroscientific research, particularly that relating cortical
oscillations to conjunctions of surface and form features, and for cognitive
science and philosophy of mind and consciousness are discussed
