Allocating attention in the visual field: the effects of cue type and target-distractor confusability

In the present study I compared the effect of colour and location cues on the selection of a target. Two questions were in focus. First, can both colour and location cues trigger and mediate attentional selection, and if they can, which of them is more effective? Second, does physical distinctiveness between a target and a distractor have to be taken into account? In two experiments, in which the most likely target colour or location was cued, both colour cues and arrow-like location cues produced cue-validity effects. The relative effectiveness of feature cues and location cues appeared, to some extent, to be dependent on target-distractor confusability. Taken together, the results support the post-categorical filter theory, in which different cues can be used to trigger the feedback loop that is used to address relevant identity information via location.