Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

Are spatial and dimensional attention separate? evidence from Posner, Stroop, and Eriksen tasks.

Full Abstract

Do various operational definitions of visual attention tap the same underlying process? To address this question, we probed visual selective attention using orientation of attention, flanker, and Stroop tasks. These were embedded in combined designs that enabled assessment of each effect, as well as their interaction. For the orientation task, performance was poorer at unexpected than at expected locations. The flanker effects also differed across the two locations. In contrast, the Stroop effects were comparable at expected and unexpected locations. We conclude that spatial attention (tapped by the orientation and the flanker tasks) and dimensional attention (tapped by the Stroop task) engage separate processes of visual selection, both of which are needed in normal attention processing.

Author information

Author/s: Chajut, Eran (E); Schupak, Asi (A); Algom, Daniel (D);

Affiliation: The Open University of Israel, Ra'anana, Israel. eranch(-atsign-)openu.ac.il

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Memory & cognition (Mem Cognit), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 37 (issue 6) : pp 924-34

Dates: Created 2009/08/14; Completed 2009/10/19;

PMID: 19679870, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/19/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Attention Color Perception Conflict (Psychology) Discrimination (Psychology) Female Field Dependence-Independence Humans

Humans Male Orientation Pattern Recognition, Visual Reaction Time Semantics Size Perception Young Adult

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