Visual Attention Analytics for Individual Perception Differences and Task Load-Induced Inattentional Blindness

Inattentional blindness (IB) is a detection failure of unexpected stimuli due to the concentration on main tasks. Scholars have applied load theory to provide a potential theoretical explanation for IB from the perspective of cognitive resources and task load, while the underlying visual mechanism is still unknown. In addition, apart from task load, individual perception differences may greatly affect IB frequency. Hence, the study aims to reveal the underlying visual mechanism of individual perception differences and task load-induced IB. Specifically, eye movement patterns across IBs and non-IBs, the respective impacts of individual perception differences and task load on eye movements, and their interaction effects are studied. 40 participants conducted a series of hybrid perceptual load experiments, including perceptual level tests and an IB-induced video viewing task. Our results show that IBs and non-IBs have significant differences in six eye movement metrics, such as saccades magnitude, blink frequency, and pupil diameter. Moreover, perception differences and task load have significant effects on three and four eye movement metrics respectively. Besides, first view time demonstrates the interaction effects between individual perception levels and task load. This research not only provides new evidence for the impacts of individual perception differences and task load on IB, but also elaborates on the changing rules of eye-tracking metrics. The visual attention analyses in this study provide a theoretical basis for the objective identification of IB, promoting the process of human-computer interaction.