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Measuring Attention and Visual Processing Speed by Model-based Analysis of Temporal-order Judgments
Published on: January 23, 2017
Temporal trade-off effects in sustained attention: dynamics in visual cortex predict the target detection performance
Matthias J Wieser1, Andreas Keil
1Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany. wieser@psychologie.uni-wuerzburg.de
Summary
Sustained attention to visual targets can impair detection over time. This study shows that early over-allocation of visual cortex resources leads to reduced facilitation and poor change detection, supporting models of temporal resource sharing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Visual Perception
Background:
- Models of visual selective attention propose enhanced target representation in the visual cortex.
- However, psychophysical studies indicate reduced perceptual sensitivity with sustained attention.
- The temporal dynamics of attentional resource allocation remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between target detection behavior and electrocortical facilitation during sustained attention under competition.
- To examine the role of early visual cortex in attentional modulation in near real-time.
- To test the hypothesis that temporal dynamics of visual cortex activity predict detection accuracy.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments utilized a change detection paradigm with flickering grating stimuli and distractor stimuli (faces or scenes).
- Steady-state visual evoked potentials (ssVEPs) were recorded to measure electrocortical facilitation.
- Beamformer source localization was employed to assess activity in lower-tier visual cortex.
Main Results:
- Early overallocation of visual cortical resources to the attended stimulus stream correlated with reduced electrocortical facilitation and poor change detection.
- Temporally balanced dynamics in visual cortex activity predicted accurate change detection.
- These findings were consistent across experiments involving different distractor types.
Conclusions:
- The results support models of sustained selective attention that highlight competition for resources in lower-tier visual cortex.
- Attentive behavior during sustained viewing is characterized by temporal resource sharing, not constant enhancement.
- A temporal dimension is crucial for understanding the dynamics of selective attention and its impact on perception.
