Effect of fixation point distances on allocation of attention in real three-dimensional space.
Although variation in spatial relations between observer and objects is important when attention functions in three-dimensional space, the effects of changes in spatial relations on attention in real three-dimensional space are still unclear. In Exp. 1, the effects of varying distances of the fixation point on attention in a spatial cuing paradigm were investigated. In Exp. 2, the effects of increase in task demand were examined by making observers detect a blinking fixation point, while performing the same task as in Exp. 1. In both experiments, attention could be manipulated by a precue when the fixation-point distance changed from trial to trial, and in Exp. 2 distribution of attention was manipulated by perceptual load. These findings together indicate that allocation of attentional resources in three-dimensional space varies by task demand.
Kimura
Takahiko
T
Department of Applied Cognitive Psychology, Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Japan. takimura@fuksi-kagk-u.ac.jp
Miura
Toshiaki
T
Shinohara
Kazumitsu
K
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D003867:Depth Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005403:Fixation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*