Electrophysiological Studies of Visual Attention and Resource Allocation
Abstract
The objective of this project has been to better understand mechanisms of visual selective attention in humans, both at the level of perceptual processing and at the level of the underlying brain mechanisms. The main approach has been to record event-related brain potentials (EPRs) from the intact scalp using multielectrode arrays. Selective attention to stimulus location was found to enhance short-latency brain evoked activity, analysis of current source densities indicated that visual inputs were subject to attentional control at or before the level of the pre-striate occipital cortex. Stimuli patterns of early sensory modulation were found during spatially focussed attention to rapid sequences of unilateral stimuli, to single stimuli occurring at precued locations, and to bilateral stimulus arrays. Applications of these techniques for evaluating how human operators allocate their attention to visual displays are discussed. Keywords: Selective attention; Visual system physiology; Spatial orienting; Event-related brain potentials.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 30, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA212287
Entities
People
- G. R. Mangun
- S. J. Luck
- Steven A. Hillyard
Organizations
- University of California, San Diego