Cue validity and object-based attention.
In a previous study, Egly, Driver, and Rafal (1994) observed both space- and object-based components of visual selective attention. However, the mechanisms underlying these two components and the relationship between them are not well understood. In the present research, with a similar paradigm, these issues were addressed by manipulating cue validity. Behavioral results indicated the presence of both space- and object-based components under high cue validity, similar to the results of Egly et al.'s study. In addition, under low cue validity, the space-based component was absent, whereas the object-based component was maintained. Further event-related potential results demonstrated an object-based effect at a sensory level over the posterior areas of brain, and a space-based effect over the anterior region. The present data suggest that the space- and object-based components reflect mainly voluntary and reflexive mechanisms, respectively.
Key Laboratory of Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Xun
X
He
Silu
S
Fan
Ke
K
Zhou
Lin
L
Chen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003463:Cues; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D017603:Signal Detection, Psychological; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors