Limited interactions between space- and feature-based attention in visually sparse displays

Abstract

Top-down visual attention selectively filters sensory input so relevant information receives preferential processing. Feature-based attention (FBA) enhances the representation of relevant low-level features, whereas space-based attention (SBA) enhances information at relevant location(s). The present study investigates whether the unique influences of SBA and FBA combine to facilitate behavior in a perceptually demanding discrimination task. We first demonstrated that, independently, both color and location pre-cues could effectively direct attention to facilitate perceptual decision making of a target. We then examined the combined effects of SBA and FBA in the same design by deploying a predictive color arrow pre-cue. Only SBA effects were observed in performance accuracy and reaction time. However, we detected a reaction time cost when a valid spatial cue was paired with a feature cue. A computational perceptual decision-making model largely provided converging evidence that contributions from FBA were restricted to facilitating the speed with which the relevant item was identified. Our results suggest that both selection mechanisms can be used in isolation to resolve a perceptually challenging target in a sparse display, but with little additive perceptual benefit when cued simultaneously. We conclude that there is at least some higher order interdependence between space-based and feature-based selection during decision making under specific conditions.

Space- and feature-based attention operate both independently and interactively within latent components of perceptual decision making

“…Although this explanation may be compelling, on its own, the absent FBA effect we observed within accuracy and RT is equally consistent with both a dependent and an independent account of selective attention ( Liang & Scolari, 2020 ). This leaves us with the task of trying to determine why FBA enhancement effects were absent.…”

“…The goal of Experiment 1 was to modify the experimental design of Liang and Scolari (2020) Experiment 2 to elicit both SBA and FBA effects in a single task. Here, the location and color information indicated by an informative pre-cue each reflected at least one unique distractor (in addition to the target on valid trials), such that both cue types were necessary to completely isolate the target on wholly valid trials.…”

“…In a set of experiments designed to unify these discrepant accounts, we recently argued that FBA and SBA likely operate on sensory signals in an independent manner, whereas higher-order mechanisms (i.e. attentional control and decision making) utilize space and feature information in a conjunctive, domain-general manner ( Liang & Scolari, 2020 ). This conclusion was supported by a divergent pattern of results across performance measures (accuracy and RT) and drift-diffusion model outputs that are intended to capture underlying decision making components ( Wagenmakers, Ratcliff, Gomez, & McKoon, 2008 ; Wagenmakers, Van Der Maas, & Grasman, 2007 ).…”

Attention to visual motion suppresses neuronal and behavioral sensitivity in nearby feature space

“…We showed that the suppressive effect is greatest when the two (spatially) adjacent targets are also close in feature space. However, we acknowledge that this topic is still a matter of debate [39][40][41][42] and further research is required to elucidate the nature of feature-based attention.…”

Single-Trial Decoding of Motion Direction During Visual Attention From Local Field Potential Signals

“…The impact of spatial attention and FBA on the response modulations of visual cortical neurons have been investigated together in a number of studies [43]- [45]. Furthermore, psychophysical studies have confirmed the interaction between spatial and feature-based attention by analyzing spike activities from lateral the intraparietal [46], V4 [47], and MT [48] areas.…”