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Development of spatial suppression surrounding the focus of visual attention
Audrey M B Wong-Kee-You1, John K Tsotsos2,3, Scott A Adler4,2
1Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Journal of Vision
|July 19, 2019
Summary
Spatial suppression around visual attention focus emerges around age 12, indicating developing top-down attentional modulation. This attentional surround suppression matures through adolescence, impacting learning and clinical diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Visual Attention
Background:
- Adults exhibit a suppressive field around their attentional focus, a result of top-down attention.
- This phenomenon's manifestation during development is not well understood.
- Understanding developmental attention is crucial due to its impact on learning and daily activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of spatial suppression surrounding visual attention in developing individuals.
- To examine how top-down attentional modulation changes across different developmental stages.
Main Methods:
- A study included participants aged 8 to 27, divided into six age groups.
- Participants performed tasks measuring accuracy based on target separation distance and cue presentation time.
- Behavioral data were analyzed to detect spatial suppression effects.
Main Results:
- Participants aged 12-27 showed spatial suppression around their focus of visual attention.
- Accuracy increased with target separation, indicating a suppressive ring.
- 8- to 11-year-olds did not exhibit attentional surround suppression, even with extended cue times.
Conclusions:
- Top-down attentional processes mature functionally around age 12.
- The expression of these attentional processes continues to mature until age 17.
- Findings have implications for education and diagnosing visual/cognitive pathologies.
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