Color category influences heterogeneous visual search for color.
Many previous studies have revealed chromatic characteristics of visual search using relatively simple stimuli. They suggested that color difference between a target and distractors was a crucial factor. However, it may not be applicable to natural environments that contain numerous colors. This study demonstrates the existence of a color-category effect on heterochromatic visual search. Color differences between a target and distractors were constant in the OSA uniform color scales; however, the search times varied widely. This suggests that color differences alone do not explain search performance. To clarify the mediation of a higher-order categorical color process, search times were analyzed using 11 basic colors. When the color category of a target was shared by a larger number of distractors, the search performance declined. However, when the color category of a target was not shared with distractors, the target was easily detected. The results suggest that heterochromatic stimuli could be segregated by categorical color perception.
Yokoi
Kenji
K
Department of Information Processing, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2268502 Yokohama, Japan. k.yokoi@aist.go.jp
Uchikawa
Keiji
K
D000221:Adaptation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D003116:Color; D003463:Cues; D004056:Differential Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*