Target templates and the time course of distractor location learning

Abstract

When searching for a shape target, colour distractors typically capture our attention. This capture is smaller when observers search for a fixed target that allows for a feature-specific target template compared to a varying shape singleton target. Capture is also reduced when observers can learn to predict the likely distractor location. We investigated how the precision of the target template modulates distractor location learning in an additional singleton search task. As observers are less prone to capture with a feature-specific target, we assumed that distractor location learning is less beneficial and therefore less pronounced than with a singleton target. Hierarchical Bayesian parameter estimation was used to fit fine-grained distractor location learning curves. As expected, distractor cost was reduced for distractors presented at the high-probability location. A model-based analysis of the time course of distractor location learning revealed an effect on the asymptotic performance level: when searching for a feature target, distractor cost was smaller than with a singleton target when distractors were presented at the low-probability locations, but higher at the high-probability location, indicating reduced capture and reduced distractor location learning. These findings suggest that the target template affects distractor handling by down-weighting distractor features, and by modulating how well distractors can be ignored when they appear at predictable, learned locations.

Adapting attentional control settings in a shape-changing environment

“…Moreover, observers could extract not only regularities associated with targets but also those associated with distractors that are not directly relevant to the task (Ferrante et al, 2018;Wang & Theeuwes, 2018a, 2018b, 2018c. Distractor interference is markedly reduced when observers experience regularity in a particular distractor feature or location (Hanne, Tünnermann, & Schubö, 2022;Turk-Browne, Jungé, & Scholl, 2005 ENVIRONMENT Theeuwes, 2018a, 2018cVatterott, & Vecera, 2012;Stilwell, Bahle, & Vecera, 2019). These studies add to the notion that statistical regularities could bias attention even when associated with distractors and not directly relevant to the task.…”