Darkness beyond the light: attentional inhibition surrounding the classic spotlight.
The aim of the present investigation was to determine the nature and spatial distribution of selective visual attention. Using cortical source localization of ERP data corresponding to 60 task-irrelevant stimuli across the visual field, we assessed attention effects on visual processing. Consistent with previous findings, visual processing was enhanced at the attended spatial location. In addition, this facilitation of processing extended from the attended location to the point of fixation resulting in a region of facilitation. Furthermore, a large region of inhibition was found surrounding this region of facilitation. The latter result is inconsistent with a simple facilitative spotlight model of attention and indicates that attention effects can be both facilitatory and inhibitory.
Slotnick
Scott D
SD
Johns Hopkins University, Department of Psychology, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
Hopfinger
Joseph B
JB
Klein
Stanley A
SA
Sutter
Erich E
EE
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005403:Fixation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology