Occlusion, symmetry, and object-based attention: comment on Behrmann, Zemel, and Mozer (1998)

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Visual Perception

Background:

• Previous research suggested object-based attention extends to occluded objects.
• M. Behrmann et al. (1998) reported findings supporting attention to occluded objects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To re-examine the validity of object-based attention directed toward occluded objects.
• To investigate potential confounding factors in prior studies on this topic.

Main Methods:

• Three experiments were conducted to replicate and extend previous findings.
• Stimuli were manipulated to dissociate objecthood from symmetry.
• Participants performed speeded judgments on visual stimuli.

Main Results:

• Experiment 1 replicated previous results using identical stimuli.
• Experiments 2a and 2b demonstrated that symmetry, not objecthood, significantly influenced attention.
• Prior effects attributed to object-based attention were largely explained by stimulus symmetry.

Conclusions:

• The stimuli used by M. Behrmann et al. (1998) are inappropriate for studying object-based attention and occlusion.
• Symmetry is a critical factor that confounds the interpretation of object-based attention effects in occluded objects.