[The phenomenon of visual parallel detection. Construction and validation of a test and application to a...

A psychometric test of visual detection, based upon the theory of parallel information processing taking place in the left (analytical) and the right (holistic) hemispheres, is presented. The aim of this test is to study the capacity of visual holistic attention during a simultaneous logical distractive task (point to point closure). We first present the validation study on one hundred and four normal subjects. A second study on 20 psychosomatics is then presented, showing significantly inferior results in all subtests in comparison with paired controls. Results are discussed in terms of cognitive psychology, and in particular the link between holistic processing and the emotion processing function of the right hemisphere. This test therefore constitutes a new model of exploration of the cognitivo-emotional process. It should lead to a better evaluation for the study of interhemispheric dysconnexion in neurology as well as psychopathological states such as psychosomatic diseases, where dysconnexion- like phenomena (alexithymia) are thought to play a part.