title: Change is good: Inter-trial switching of target category improves attentional selection in time.
abstract: Limitations in the rate at which our attention can sample rapidly presented visual events are reflected in the attentional blink (AB), the inability to successfully report the second of two target stimuli embedded among distractors when separated by a temporal interval of approximately 300 ms. In two experiments we tested for predictions of two accounts of AB that ascribe the phenomenon to a temporary loss of attentional control or to an overzealous application of attentional control over the input filter. Manipulating the control load during the rapid serial presentation of visual events by means of a cued attentional switching procedure, we found an AB improvement when the target category was switched from the previous trial compared to when it was repeated from the previous trial. Findings appear inconsistent with the temporary loss of control account of the AB and support the hypothesis that AB results from an over-investment of attentional control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sdoia
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferlazzo
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D054518:Attentional Blink / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Attentional blink; Attentional control; Consciousness; Temporal attention