Local and global context repetitions in contextual cueing
Nils Bergmann1,2, Anna Schubö1,3
1Cognitive Neuroscience of Perception and Action, Department of Psychology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
Journal of Vision
|September 10, 2021
Summary
Observers can learn to use local context cues for target detection, similar to global context learning. Reward magnitude did not influence this contextual cueing effect in visual search tasks.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Visual Perception
- Attention Studies
Background:
- Contextual cueing tasks typically utilize repeating global context properties.
- Limited research explores the efficacy of local context repetitions for target detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if observers can leverage local context repetitions for learning, akin to global context repetitions.
- To determine how reward-predicting context features influence the utilization of both local and global contexts.
Main Methods:
- Participants performed visual search in contexts with repeating global or local configurations, interspersed with novel contexts.
- Context items were colored to signal low or high reward.
- Response times and fixation counts were measured to assess performance benefits.
Main Results:
- Local context repetitions yielded performance benefits comparable to global context repetitions.
- Reward magnitude did not significantly modulate performance in either local or global contextual cueing.
Conclusions:
- A local group of distractors effectively supports context learning and attentional guidance, similar to global context configurations.
- The proportion of repeated versus novel context trials is critical for effective context learning.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25The Anchoring-and-Adjustment Heuristic
7.5K
In order to make good decisions, we use our knowledge and our reasoning. Often, this knowledge and reasoning is sound and solid. However, sometimes, we are swayed by biases or by others manipulating a situation. For example, let’s say you and three friends wanted to rent a house and had a combined target budget of $1,600. The realtor shows you only very run-down houses for $1,600 and then shows you a very nice house for $2,000. Might you ask each person to pay more in rent to get the...
7.5K
01:22Chunking and Rehearsal in Sensory Memory
339
Improving short-term memory can be achieved through techniques like chunking and rehearsal. Chunking involves organizing information into larger, more manageable units. This technique is particularly useful for information that exceeds the typical memory span of between five and nine items. For instance, logging into an online account with a password like "ta89vq0179gz" involves grouping letters and numbers into three chunks—ta89, vq01, and 79gz. It makes large amounts of...
339
01:29Non-Verbal Cues
60
Non-verbal communication extends beyond gestures and facial expressions to include vocal elements known as paralanguage. Paralanguage consists of non-verbal vocal cues such as pitch, loudness, speech rate, pauses, and non-verbal vocalizations like laughter, sighs, and moans. These elements not only accompany speech but also provide critical emotional and contextual information.The Role of Paralanguage in CommunicationParalanguage adds depth to spoken language by conveying emotions and...
60
01:15Real-World Application of Classical Conditioning
839
Classical conditioning not only includes the initial pairing of stimuli but also extends to more complex forms, such as higher-order conditioning. Higher-order conditioning involves creating associations beyond the primary conditioned stimulus, resulting in a chain of conditioned responses.
Higher-order, or second-order, conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an already established conditioned stimulus through repeated pairings. For instance, if a dog has been...
Higher-order, or second-order, conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an already established conditioned stimulus through repeated pairings. For instance, if a dog has been...
839
01:07Elaborative Rehearsals
150
Elaborative rehearsal is a crucial cognitive strategy that strengthens information encoding in long-term memory by making meaningful connections between new data and pre-existing knowledge. This approach contrasts with maintenance rehearsal, which involves simple repetition without delving into the significance of the information. While maintenance rehearsal might temporarily keep information active in short-term memory, it is less effective for long-term retention.
The effectiveness of...
The effectiveness of...
150
01:21Impact of Social Context on Individuals
89
Social psychology examines how the real or imagined presence of others influences individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A key concept in this field is the role of social context in shaping behavior. The same individual may act differently depending on the social setting, due to the varying expectations and norms associated with each environment. This context-dependent behavior illustrates the influence of social roles, which prescribe appropriate conduct in specific situations.Social...
89