Stable Statistical Representations Facilitate Visual Search

被引:32
作者
Corbett, Jennifer E. [1 ]
Melcher, David [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Trento, Ctr Mind Brain Sci, I-38068 Rovereto, TN, Italy
基金
欧洲研究理事会;
关键词
perceptual averaging; visual stability; visual search; ensemble encoding; mean size; contextual cueing; REAL-WORLD SCENES; EYE-MOVEMENTS; MEMORY; PERFORMANCE; SACCADE; RECOGNITION; STABILITY; ATTENTION; GUIDANCE; POSITION;
D O I
10.1037/a0037375
中图分类号
B84 [心理学];
学科分类号
04 ; 0402 ;
摘要
Observers represent the average properties of object ensembles even when they cannot identify individual elements. To investigate the functional role of ensemble statistics, we examined how modulating statistical stability affects visual search. We varied the mean and/or individual sizes of an array of Gabor patches while observers searched for a tilted target. In "stable" blocks, the mean and/or local sizes of the Gabors were constant over successive displays, whereas in "unstable" baseline blocks they changed from trial to trial. Although there was no relationship between the context and the spatial location of the target, observers found targets faster (as indexed by faster correct responses and fewer saccades) as the global mean size became stable over several displays. Building statistical stability also facilitated scanning the scene, as measured by larger saccadic amplitudes, faster saccadic reaction times, and shorter fixation durations. These findings suggest a central role for peripheral visual information, creating context to free resources for detailed processing of salient targets and maintaining the illusion of visual stability.
引用
收藏
页码:1915 / 1925
页数:11
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