Varied-mapping conjunction search: Evidence for rule-based learning

Authors: Scialfa, Charles T.; Mcphee, Lisa; Ho, Geoffrey

Source: Spatial Vision, Volume 17, Numbers 4-5, 2004 , pp. 543-557(15)

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Abstract:

Five experiments were carried out to examine whether top-down processes can aid search, even when targets and distractors are variably mapped. Experiments 1a and 1b determined that effortless VM search can be obtained in Contrast Polarity X Orientation and Color X Orientation conjunction search when one feature dimension remains consistently mapped across blocks. Experiment 2 showed that efficient VM search is possible when both dimensions are variably mapped. In Experiment 3, efficient VM search was found when target–distractor reversals occurred on a trial-wise basis. Experiments 4 and 5 found that VM search deteriorates when target identity is not known prior to display onset. These studies demonstrate the role of top-down mechanisms in the development of efficient VM search and present several challenges to strength-theoretic views on the mechanisms underlying automaticity.

Keywords: VISUAL SEARCH; ATTENTION; AUTOMATICITY

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1568568041920186

Publication date: 2004-09-01

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