The spatial distribution of attention during covert visual orienting.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Visual Attention

Background:

• Covert orienting of visual attention research often focuses on spatial performance distributions.
• Four models exist: fixed gradient spotlight, zoom lens spotlight, hemifield activation, and flexible allocation.
• Previous work suggested a midlocation placement strategy under uncertainty.

Purpose of the Study:

• To differentiate between four models of attentional distribution.
• To test the midlocation placement strategy for visual attention.

Main Methods:

• Experimental design to distinguish between attentional distribution models.
• Testing the midlocation placement strategy under conditions of uncertainty.

Main Results:

• Findings support the midlocation placement strategy.
• Evidence contradicts the flexible allocation and hemifield activation models.
• Could not differentiate between fixed gradient and zoom lens spotlight models.

Conclusions:

• The midlocation placement strategy is supported by the data.
• The flexible allocation and hemifield activation hypotheses are not supported.
• Further research is needed to distinguish between spotlight model variants.