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Inhibition of return
1Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4J1.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences
|March 31, 2000
Summary
Attention shifts reflexively towards stimuli, but prolonged focus causes inhibition of return (IOR). This IOR delays responses to familiar locations, promoting exploration of novel environments for efficient foraging.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Visual Attention
Background:
- A reflexive shift of attention occurs towards peripheral stimuli.
- Following attention withdrawal, a phenomenon called inhibition of return (IOR) emerges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the seminal work on inhibition of return (IOR).
- To discuss the causes, effects, temporal dynamics, spatial distribution, neural basis, and functional significance of IOR.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on inhibition of return (IOR).
- Discussion of Posner and Cohen's foundational contributions.
- Analysis of IOR's characteristics and implications.
Main Results:
- IOR involves delayed responding to previously attended peripheral locations.
- This inhibitory aftereffect encourages orienting towards novel locations.
- IOR may facilitate foraging and other search behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Inhibition of return (IOR) is a significant cognitive mechanism.
- IOR plays a crucial role in optimizing search behaviors and environmental exploration.
- Further research continues to elucidate the neural underpinnings and functional roles of IOR.