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Distribution of visuo-attentional resources while reading multiple words
Valentina Bandiera1, Lisa S Arduino1, Roberta Daini2,3
1Human Science Department, LUMSA University, Rome, Italy.
Plos One
|February 2, 2026
Summary
Semantic processing in the parafovea occurs in parallel with foveal word processing. Attentional resources are evenly distributed, but high foveal load can hinder parafoveal information extraction.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology
- Visual perception
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Previous research suggests semantic processing occurs in the parafovea.
- The Rapid Parallel Visual Presentation (RPVP) paradigm allows studying parafoveal processing alongside foveal processing.
- Semantic relatedness influences parafoveal word processing accuracy and response times.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide further evidence for parallel semantic processing.
- To investigate attentional resource availability and distribution during semantic relatedness.
- To understand how foveal word frequency impacts parafoveal processing.
Main Methods:
- Replication of the RPVP paradigm with simultaneous word presentation (W1 in fovea, W2 in parafovea).
- Manipulation of word frequency and semantic relatedness.
- Inclusion of a probe detection task to assess attentional resource allocation.
Main Results:
- Previous findings on semantic relatedness and accuracy/response times were replicated.
- Probe detection was facilitated at both foveal and parafoveal locations for high-frequency, semantically related words.
- Low frequency of the foveal word (W1) hindered parafoveal processing, impacting probe detection.
- Attentional resources were found to be evenly distributed across foveal and parafoveal words, irrespective of probe position.
Conclusions:
- Semantic information is processed in parallel with foveal information.
- Attentional resources are flexibly distributed but can be overloaded by high foveal task demands.
- Parafoveal processing is efficient when the foveal task is not demanding.
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