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Linking past and present worlds in the visual control of behavior

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 June 2026

Melvyn A. Goodale Open the ORCID record for Melvyn A. Goodale [Opens in a new window]  and
Brian D. Corneil Open the ORCID record for Brian D. Corneil [Opens in a new window]
Melvyn A. Goodale*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada mgoodale@uwo.ca bcorneil@uwo.ca https://www.uwo.ca/bmi/goodalelab/index.html https://www.corneil-lab.com/
Brian D. Corneil
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada mgoodale@uwo.ca bcorneil@uwo.ca https://www.uwo.ca/bmi/goodalelab/index.html https://www.corneil-lab.com/
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

We argue that evolutionarily conserved processing of visual information via subcortical routes persists in humans despite the emergence of cortical networks for conscious visual perception and the rapid visual control of planned actions. These cortical circuits did not replace subcortical circuits but instead evolved the capacity to preset the nested subcortical circuits to enable (or suppress) fast-as-possible actions, when required.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 49 , 2026 , e175
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

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References

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