Eye fixation during multiple object attention is based on a representation of discrete spatial foci

Abstract

We often look at and attend to several objects at once. How the brain determines where to point our eyes when we do this is poorly understood. Here we devised a novel paradigm to discriminate between different models of spatial selection guiding fixation. In contrast to standard static attentional tasks where the eye remains fixed at a predefined location, observers selected their own preferred fixation position while they tracked static targets that were arranged in specific geometric configurations and which changed identity over time. Fixations were best predicted by a representation of discrete spatial foci, not a polygonal grouping, simple 2-foci division of attention or a circular spotlight. Moreover, attentional performance was incompatible with serial selection. Together with previous studies, our findings are compatible with a view that attentional selection and fixation rely on shared spatial representations and suggest a more nuanced definition of overt vs. covert attention.

Differential Eye Movements in Verbal and Nonverbal Search

“…These discrepant strategies are supportive of Paivio and Begg's initial hypothesis that, unlike words which require serial search, we are able to engage in a "parallel sweep" for objects (Paivio and Begg, 1974). Only one object can be foveated at a time, so parallel viewing depends upon the effective use of peripheral vision, leveraging covert attention to scan small clusters of objects simultaneously (Smith et al, 2014;Fluharty et al, 2016). Saccadic patterns observed in the nonverbal task are consistent with this interpretation.…”

Reference data preparation for complex satellite image segmentation

“…The high visual acuity is limited to the fovea and eye tracker captures the target of foveal view through fixations. These eye fixations often occur towards the centroid of the object and are centre biased [36,[54][55][56]. Also, in complex HRS images, objects are in overlapping manner and fixations are spread over multiple objects.…”