Week 7: Attention in Time & Space

Visual Search Task

Investigates attention by locating stimuli among distractors.

Spatial Attention

Assigns processing resources to relevant environmental stimuli.

Pop Out Phenomenon

Targets that stand out with little search time change.

Mean Response Time (RT)

Average time taken to respond in visual tasks.

Parallel Search

Simultaneous comparison of all display locations.

Serial Search

Sequentially focusing attention on each item.

Self-Terminating Serial Search

Stops searching upon finding the target.

Feature Integration Theory

Attention binds features into perceptual compounds.

Illusory Conjunctions

Miscombined features due to lack of attention.

Conjunction Targets

Targets defined by a combination of features.

Guided Search Theory

Two-stage search process for identifying targets.

Search Efficiency

Effectiveness of locating targets among distractors.

Automaticity

Fast, effortless processing without capacity requirements.

Stroop Effect

Demonstrates failure of focused attention with conflicting stimuli.

Controlled Processing

Deliberate, slow processing requiring attention.

Eriksen Flanker Task

Measures compatibility effects on attention.

Attentional Blink

Decline in detecting second target after first.

Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP)

Task presenting items quickly to study attention.

Visual Working Memory

Holds 4-5 items, enters serially at 50-60ms.

Candidate List

Initial targets identified in parallel search stage.

Display Size

Number of items presented in a visual search.

Slope Ratio

Indicates efficiency of search based on response time.

Feature Maps

Separate maps for different visual features.

Consistent Mapping

Distinct target and distractor sets in tasks.

Varied Mapping

Targets can also be distractors in some trials.

Cheetahs-in-the-Savannah

Analogy for visual search complexity control.

High-Level Properties

Complex characteristics influencing pop out effects.