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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Measurement of Neurophysiological Signals of Ignoring and Attending Processes in Attention Control

Measurement of Neurophysiological Signals of Ignoring and Attending Processes in Attention Control

Published on: July 5, 2015

Ignoring Salient Distractors Inside and Outside the Attentional Window.

Xiaojin Ma¹, Steven J Luck², Nicholas Gaspelin¹

¹University of Missouri.

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience

|September 24, 2025

Summary

Salient stimuli do not automatically capture attention based on attentional window size. Feature-based attention mechanisms, not spatial focus, prevent distraction by salient stimuli.

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Last Updated: Jan 17, 2026

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Published on: May 14, 2014

Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Neuroscience

Background:

The automatic capture of attention by salient stimuli is debated.
The attentional window account suggests capture depends on attentional focus breadth.
This account has not been extensively tested.

Purpose of the Study:

To test the attentional window account's predictions.
To investigate if salient distractors capture attention based on their location within or outside the attended window.
To examine the role of spatial attention spread in attentional capture.

Main Methods:

A shape discrimination task was employed.
The spread of spatial attention was manipulated.
Attentional capture was measured using the N2pc component and behavioral data.

Main Results:

Contrary to the attentional window account, salient distractors did not capture attention differently based on their location.
No evidence supported the idea that capture depends on whether a distractor is inside or outside the attended window.
Findings suggest attentional capture is not solely determined by the breadth of spatial attention.

Conclusions:

The attentional window account was not supported by the findings.
Results indicate that feature-based control mechanisms can prevent capture by salient distractors.
Attention models allowing feature-based control are better supported by this evidence.