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The role of stimulus-driven and goal-driven control in saccadic visual selection
Wieske van Zoest1, Mieke Donk, Jan Theeuwes
1Department of Cognitive Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. w.van.zoest@psy.vu.nl
Summary
Fast saccadic eye movements are stimulus-driven, while slower ones are goal-driven. This suggests visual selection involves two independent processes operating at different times.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Visual Perception
Background:
- Saccadic eye movements are crucial for visual exploration.
- Understanding the control mechanisms of visual selection is key to cognitive neuroscience.
- Previous models proposed either bottom-up or top-down control of visual selection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of stimulus-driven control in saccadic eye movements.
- To differentiate between stimulus-driven and goal-driven processes in visual selection.
- To examine how salience affects the balance between these control mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Four experiments involving speeded saccades to a target among nontargets and distractors.
- Manipulation of target and distractor salience.
- Analysis of eye movement metrics to infer control mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Fast saccadic eye movements were predominantly stimulus-driven.
- Slower saccadic eye movements were predominantly goal-driven.
- Evidence suggests independent stimulus-driven and goal-driven processes operating in distinct time windows.
Conclusions:
- Visual selection is not solely bottom-up or top-down.
- Two independent processes, stimulus-driven and goal-driven, underlie visual selection.
- These processes operate with different temporal dynamics, influencing saccadic eye movements.