Selective processing of superimposed objects: an electrophysiological analysis of object-based attentional selection

Biol Psychol. 1997 Mar 21;45(1-3):159-82. doi: 10.1016/s0301-0511(96)05227-1.

Abstract

We investigated whether object-based attentional selection occurs from grouped-array or spatially-invariant representations. Subjects were presented with colored objects and asked to judge whether a particular color/shape conjunction was present, regardless of whether the color and shape were part of a single object (same-object condition) or occurred on two different objects (different-object condition). RTs and accuracies were recorded for subjects judgments. ERP components, in particular the P1 and N1, were elicited both from the presentation of the target objects and from a post-display probe that was employed as an index of spatial attention. Consistent with predictions of object-based selection models, RTs and accuracies were faster on same than on different object trials. N1s elicited by the target objects and P1s elicited by the post-display probes discriminated between same and different object trials when the two target objects were superimposed. These data are consistent with the proposal that object-based selection is spatially mediated, even in the case of partially overlapping objects. The data are discussed in terms of space- and object-based models of visual selective attention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Attention / physiology*
  • Color Perception*
  • Evoked Potentials
  • Female
  • Form Perception*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Reaction Time
  • Space Perception*