Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Preattentive and Attentive Processing
Abstract
In the present experiment, subjects searched multi-element displays for a color singleton. With a variable display-to-onset interval, on some trials an abrupt onset was presented at three possible distances from the target location. The interference effect caused by the abrupt onset as a function of SOA and its relative position revealed the distinctive characteristics of pre- attentive and attentive processing, During preattentive parallel processing (processing occurring within the first 100 ms), any abrupt onset that occurred within the visual field captured attention. During attentive processing (processing occurring after 100 ms), however, focussed attention precluded the capturing of attention of the abrupt onset. The finding that abrupt onsets interfere with selective search for a color singleton provides additional evidence for the notion of inadequate top-down control at the level of preattentive processing
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 26, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA285200
Entities
People
- J. Theeuwes