How the brain sees beyond the eyes
The Visual & Cognitive Neuroscience Lab investigates how information from hearing, emotion, action and knowledge shapes the visual brain — in sighted and blind people alike.
Seeing is more than the eyes
The Visual & Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (VCNL) is part of the Department of Psychology at the University of Fribourg and is led by Prof. Petra Vetter. We study how the brain builds our picture of the world — and how much of what we call “seeing” comes from hearing, feelings, movement and what we already know.
We carry out our studies with sighted people and with people who are blind or visually impaired. Their experience helps us understand how the brain represents space and sound without vision.
“How does information from audition, emotion, action and cognition influence the visual brain, both in sighted and blind humans?”
What we investigate
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Sound in the visual brain
How everyday sounds and spoken words are represented in the visual areas of the brain — even with the eyes closed.
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Perception without awareness
What the brain processes before we consciously see something, studied with techniques that briefly hide images from awareness.
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Emotion guiding the eyes
How fearful faces attract our gaze — and reach awareness — before we even notice them.
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The blind brain
How the “visual” brain of people born blind represents space, sound and movement.
Take part in our research
We regularly look for volunteers — sighted, blind and visually impaired — for our studies. Find out what is involved and how to contact us.
Get in touch
Department of Psychology
University of Fribourg
Rue P.-A. de Faucigny 2
1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
Email petra.vetter@unifr.ch