Understanding the allocation of attention when faced with varying perceptual load in partial report: A computational approach

Kyllingsbæk, Søren; Sy, Jocelyn L.; Giesbrecht, Barry

doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2010.11.039

Cited by 28 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…In these frameworks, the allocation of perceptual resources to task-relevant and task-irrelevant information is mediated by a combination of top-down biases that are based on one’s expectations and low-level competitive interactions (e.g., Torralbo and Beck, 2008; Kyllingsbæk et al, 2011; Parks et al, 2011; Nordfang et al, 2012; Scalf et al, 2013; Giesbrecht et al, 2014). Importantly, behavioral and neural responses to task-irrelevant information are not dictated by either expectations or low-level factors in isolation, but rather, determined by the dynamic interaction between these factors.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accurate expectancies diminish perceptual distraction during visual search

Guerin

Stegman

et al. 2014

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

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The load theory of visual attention proposes that efficient selective perceptual processing of task-relevant information during search is determined automatically by the perceptual demands of the display. If the perceptual demands required to process task-relevant information are not enough to consume all available capacity, then the remaining capacity automatically and exhaustively “spills-over” to task-irrelevant information. The spill-over of perceptual processing capacity increases the likelihood that task-irrelevant information will impair performance. In two visual search experiments, we tested the automaticity of the allocation of perceptual processing resources by measuring the extent to which the processing of task-irrelevant distracting stimuli was modulated by both perceptual load and top-down expectations using behavior, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and electrophysiology. Expectations were generated using a trial-by-trial cue that provided information about the likely load of the upcoming visual search task. When the cues were valid, behavioral interference was eliminated and the influence of load on frontoparietal and visual cortical responses was attenuated relative to when the cues were invalid. In conditions in which task-irrelevant information interfered with performance and modulated visual activity, individual differences in mean blood oxygenation level dependent responses measured from the left intraparietal sulcus were negatively correlated with individual differences in the severity of distraction. These results are consistent with the interpretation that a top-down biasing mechanism interacts with perceptual load to support filtering of task-irrelevant information.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accurate expectancies diminish perceptual distraction during visual search

Guerin

Stegman

et al. 2014

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

Self Cite

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“…On the load theory, such research would be expected to demonstrate that the effects of load (demands on capacity) and salience are additive, other views (e.g. Kyllingsbaek, Sy & Giesbrecht, 2011) might implicate interactive effects. Interestingly, extensive training (e.g., as a consequence of a particular Face Specific Capacity Limits 26 expertise) can lead to category-selective processing for the objects of expertise that has similar characteristic to face processing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptual load effects on processing distractor faces indicate face-specific capacity limits

Thoma

Lavie

2013

Visual Cognition

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“…[12]). Instead, the same outcome can be achieved with a simultaneous parallel processing model in which a limited capacity is allocated in parallel to all stimuli with their priority reflected in different processing weights.…”

Section: Endnotesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blinded by the load: attention, awareness and the role of perceptual load

Lavie

Beck

Konstantinou

2014

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

228

161

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What is the relationship between attention and conscious awareness? Awareness sometimes appears to be restricted to the contents of focused attention, yet at other times irrelevant distractors will dominate awareness. This contradictory relationship has also been reflected in an abundance of discrepant research findings leading to an enduring controversy in cognitive psychology. Lavie's load theory of attention suggests that the puzzle can be solved by considering the role of perceptual load. Although distractors will intrude upon awareness in conditions of low load, awareness will be restricted to the content of focused attention when the attended information involves high perceptual load. Here, we review recent evidence for this proposal with an emphasis on the various subjective blindness phenomena, and their neural correlates, induced by conditions of high perceptual load. We also present novel findings that clarify the role of attention in the response to stimulus contrast. Overall, this article demonstrates a critical role for perceptual load across the spectrum of perceptual processes leading to awareness, from the very early sensory responses related to contrast detection to explicit recognition of semantic content.

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Understanding the allocation of attention when faced with varying perceptual load in partial report: A computational approach

Cited by 28 publications

References 27 publications

Accurate expectancies diminish perceptual distraction during visual search

Accurate expectancies diminish perceptual distraction during visual search

Perceptual load effects on processing distractor faces indicate face-specific capacity limits

Blinded by the load: attention, awareness and the role of perceptual load

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