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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
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Investigating the Deployment of Visual Attention Before Accurate and Averaging Saccades via Eye Tracking and Assessment of Visual Sensitivity
Published on: March 18, 2019
The relationship between covert and overt attention in endogenous cuing
Stefan Van der Stigchel1, Jan Theeuwes
1Department of Cognitive Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. s.van.der.stigchel@psy.vu.nl
Perception & Psychophysics
|October 13, 2007
Summary
Participants faster identified targets with endogenous attention cues. Eye movements deviated from attended locations, suggesting the oculomotor system tracks spatial attention allocation dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Visual Attention
- Oculomotor System
Background:
- The Posner paradigm is a standard method for studying covert attention.
- Covert attention involves directing attention without eye movements.
- The role of the oculomotor system in covert attention is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of the oculomotor system in endogenous attention.
- To examine eye movement deviations during covert attention allocation.
- To explore the relationship between saccade deviation and attention dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a standard Posner paradigm with endogenous peripheral cues.
- Participants performed manual responses to targets and eye movement responses.
- Measured eye deviations from cued and uncued locations.
Main Results:
- Eye movements deviated away from validly cued locations.
- Eye movements also deviated from uncued locations when attention was directed there.
- The magnitude of eye deviation correlated with attention allocation dynamics.
Conclusions:
- The oculomotor system is activated during both valid and invalid endogenous attention.
- Eye movement deviation may reflect inhibition of attended locations.
- Saccade deviation strength could quantify spatial attention allocation over time.
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