Variables influencing the mode of processing of complex stimuli

The experimental method allowed false-positive as weIl as false-negative errors to be measured during visual search. Data were collected from eight Ss on four target-set size conditions on each of 25 days in order to determine whether the finding that search rate is independent of target-set size after practice might be attributable to a systematic variation in total error rate with set size. Even after practice, these Ss continued to search significantly faster for a single target than for target sets which were composed of five or more characters. Further, the incidence of total errors was much lower than in those studies in which search rate had been found to be independent of set size (i.e., parallel processing), even though these latter studies considered only the occurrence of false-negative errors. Additional analysis strongly suggests that: (1) attainment of parallel processing and a highly aceurate performance are incompatible, and (2) verbal instructions alone are not sufficient to control the accuracy levels.

Section: D1scussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Types and frequency of errors in visual search

Kristofferson

1972

“…Following the work of Egeth (1966), several other investigators have used his paradigm to study the mode of processing of simple geometrical stimuli (Grill, 1971;Hawkins, 1969;Nickerson, 1967Nickerson, , 1972. In this research, pairs of stimuli composed of combinations of varying dimensions, such as size, form, and color of the figures or the orientation of an inscribed line, are presented and the subjects' task is to judge as quickly as possible whether or not the pairs are identical.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some dimensions normally employed in this sort of task, such as form, size, and color, for instance, cannot be taken away or added at will, as Grill (1971) and Saraga and Shallice (1973) showed. Their empirical findings are in accord with the theoretical notions of Lockhead (1972) about stimulus integrality.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Processing of geometrical dimensions in a binary classification task: Evidence for a dual process model

Keuss¹

1977

Confirming the findings in search tasks with letters and digits, the typical RT same < RTdiff result was obtained in a matching paradigm requiring the classification of geometrical stimuli that were given in pairs. The study supports a dual process model that is based on an identity reporter for the faster "same" response and a difference detector for the slower "different" responses, both operating with equal accuracy. Subjects appeared to perceive outline aspects of figures, formed by size and form, holistically. An internal characteristic, such as an interior line, was apparently processed as a separate attribute. However, the outlines of the stimulus configurations appeared to be much more salient and interfered with the judgment of the orientation of the interior line. Moreover, the latter stimulus aspect could be easily ignored as the task required.

“…A useful strategy for future experiments would appear to be: (a) the empirical distinction between processes that are mandatory and those that are optional; and (b) the detailed analysis of the stimulus properties and task conditions related to each (cf. Garner, in press;Grill, 1971;Nickerson, 1971;Townsend, 1971). …”

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confidence: 99%

Parallel processing of auditory and phonetic information in speech discrimination

Wood

1974

106

Recent experiments using a variety of techniques have suggested that speech perception involves separate auditory and phonetic levels of processing. Two models of auditory and phonetic processing appear to be consistent with existing data: (a) a strict serial model in which auditory information would be processed at one level, followed by the processing of phonetic information at a subsequent level; and (b) a parallel model in which auditory and phonetic processing could proceed simultaneously. The present experiment attempted to distinguish empirically between these two models.Ss identified either an auditory dimension (fundamental frequency) or a phonetic dimension (place of articulation of the consonant) of synthetic consonant-vowel syllables. When the two dimensions varied in a completely correlated manner, reaction times were significantly shorter than when either dimension varied alone. This "redundancy gain" could not be attributed to speed-accuracy trades, selective serial processing, or differential transfer between conditions. These results allow rejection of a completely serial model, suggesting instead that at least some portion of auditory and phonetic processing can occur in parallel.