Receptive field - Definition and Overview

Receptive fields are areas of the retina, producing a change in the firing of cells in the visual system.. Stimulation of receptive field leads to a response of a particular sensory neuron (cf. Levine & Shefner). For example, for a neuron in the visual cortex, the receptive field area in question is located on the retina. Hubel and Wiesel (1962) found cells fire when stimulated in the center of their receptive field but do not fire when stimulated outside the center area.

Reference

• Levine M.W. and Shefner, J.M. Fundamentals of sensation and perception, 2nd ed. (1991) Pacific Grove, California.