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An interactive race model of divided attention.
1Department of Psychology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218.
Summary
New interactive race models explain faster responses to redundant signals by considering interstimulus and stimulus-response contingencies, improving understanding of attention and information processing.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human factors
Background:
- Two main models, independent race and coactivation, explain redundant signal effects.
- These models differ in how they account for faster responses to multiple signals.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce an intermediate class of models, specifically the interactive race model.
- Investigate the impact of overlooked interstimulus and stimulus-response contingencies on performance.
Main Methods:
- Conducted redundant-target detection experiments.
- Analyzed the influence of interstimulus and stimulus-response contingencies on response times.
Main Results:
- Response times were significantly affected by both interstimulus and stimulus-response contingencies.
- The interactive race model successfully explained these findings.
Conclusions:
- The interactive race model offers a comprehensive explanation for redundant signal effects.
- This model accounts for findings in divided-attention research previously unexplained.