Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026

Measuring Attention and Visual Processing Speed by Model-based Analysis of Temporal-order Judgments
Published on: January 23, 2017
The impact of task-irrelevant reward on object-based attentional selection in conflict contexts
Saisai Hu1,2, Haiyang Zhang3, Jingjing Zhao4,5
1School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
Abstract:
Previous research has demonstrated the influence of task-irrelevant reward on object-based attention in non-conflict contexts. However, it remains unclear whether object-based attention emerged and how task-irrelevant reward guide object-based attention in conflict contexts. Therefore, the present study adopted a variant of two-rectangle paradigm to investigate the impact of task-irrelevant reward on object-based attention in conflict contexts across three experiments. Experiment 1 observed object-based effects when combing the two-rectangle paradigm with the Stroop task. Experiment 2 used color character as target and found object-based effects in the incongruent-unrewarded condition, not in the incongruent-rewarded condition. The difference can be due to faster response in the incongruent-unrewarded condition for invalid same-object trials. Experiment 3 adopted monetary objects as target and observed reversed object-based effects in the incongruent-high-rewarded condition, not in the incongruent-low-rewarded condition. This was due to faster response in the incongruent-low-rewarded condition than in the incongruent-high-rewarded condition for invalid same-object trials. These findings demonstrated that task-irrelevant reward can affect the object-based attention in conflict contexts, and different types of rewards may share a common mechanism in their impact on object-based attention. Ultimately, this study provided further support for the attentional spreading theory.
Related Concept Videos
Timing and Consequences on Behavior
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant factor...
Incentive Theory: Pull Theory of Motivation
The theory differentiates between intrinsic and...
Motivational Bias
Halo Effect

