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Spatial attention can be allocated rapidly and in parallel to new visual objects

Eimer, M.; Grubert, A.

Spatial attention can be allocated rapidly and in parallel to new visual objects Thumbnail


Authors

M. Eimer



Abstract

In real-life visual environments, where multiple objects compete for processing, new objects that require immediate attention often appear when attention is already focused elsewhere. The question of whether spatial attention can be directed independently to different locations in the visual field remains controversial. Serial models assume a unitary attentional focus that is directed to one object at a time and moves rapidly between objects. According to parallel models, attention can be simultaneously allocated to several visual objects, but the distribution of attention cannot change rapidly when new objects arrive. Here we demonstrate the existence of a fast and flexible mechanism of attentional object selection, where focal attention is allocated in parallel and independently to different target objects. Using event-related brain potential (ERP) markers of visual attention, we show that when two targets appear in rapid succession at different locations, two separate foci of attention are established, each with its own independent time course. Attention can be maintained at its previous location while it is simultaneously allocated to a new target object. Our results challenge the view that the attentional focus is always unitary and that the spatial selection of multiple visual objects operates in a strictly serial fashion.

Citation

Eimer, M., & Grubert, A. (2014). Spatial attention can be allocated rapidly and in parallel to new visual objects. Current Biology, 24(2), 193-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2013.12.001

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 2, 2013
Online Publication Date Jan 9, 2014
Publication Date Jan 20, 2014
Deposit Date Jan 19, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Current Biology
Print ISSN 0960-9822
Publisher Cell Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 24
Issue 2
Pages 193-198
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2013.12.001

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Publisher Licence URL
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Copyright Statement
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.





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