Varieties of attention in neutral trials: Linking RT to ERPs and EEG frequencies

Authors: Jongen, Ellen M.M.¹; Smulders, Fren T.Y.¹; Breukelen, Gerard J.P.²

Source: Psychophysiology, Volume 43, Number 1, January 2006 , pp. 113-125(13)

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Abstract:

It is often assumed that when a neutral cue is presented in a spatial cueing task, attention remains at fixation until target onset. We hypothesized that variance in nonspatial attention and switches of attention toward target locations can account for variance in reaction times of neutral trials. Lateralized event-related potentials (ERPs) and changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) frequency bands served as predictor variables in a single-trial logistic regression analysis to predict the direction of spatial attention in cued and neutral trials. The contingent negative variation (CNV) and nonlateralized changes in the alpha band served as markers of nonspatial attention. The direction of attention in cued trials was reliably predicted from single-trial lateralized ERP components. In neutral trials, only evidence for nonspatial attention was found, indicated by increases in the CNV and decreases in alpha preceding targets to which responses were relatively fast.

Keywords: Spatial attention; Nonspatial attention; Neutral trials; ERPs; EEG frequency bands; Single-trial analysis

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8986.2006.00375.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands 2: Department of Methodology & Statistics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Publication date: 2006-01-01