Feature-based attention modulates the perception of object contours.
Feature-based attention is known to support perception of visual features associated with early and intermediate visual areas. Here we examined the role of feature-based attention in higher levels of object processing. We used a dual-task design to probe perception of poorly attended contour-defined or motion-defined loops while attention was occupied with congruent or incongruent feature detection tasks. Perception of the unattended task was better when concurrently presented with a congruent stimulus. However, this effect was eliminated when detection of the primary task was made easy suggesting that task-demand in object perception is feature specific. Our results provide evidence for the contribution of feature-based attention to object perception.
Stojanoski
Boge
B
Centre for Computational Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Toronto at Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. stojanoski@utsc.utoronto.ca
Niemeier
Matthias
M
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D005556:Form Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*