Related Experiment Videos
Self-terminating versus exhaustive processes in rapid visual and memory search: an evaluative review
1Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.
Perception & Psychophysics
|May 1, 1993
Summary
This study examines rapid visual search models. Findings suggest that self-terminating search, not exhaustive search, better explains experimental results in elementary cognition and information processing.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Information Processing
- Human Memory
Background:
- Debate exists on whether rapid visual search terminates upon target detection or proceeds exhaustively.
- Understanding search termination is crucial for elementary cognition and information processing models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate self-terminating and exhaustive models' ability to predict empirical findings in rapid search.
- To analyze slope differences and position effects in target-present versus target-absent trials.
Main Methods:
- Review of theoretical results concerning self-terminating and exhaustive search models.
- Empirical literature review focusing on slope differences and position effects in rapid search studies.
Main Results:
- Self-terminating models can account for findings typically attributed to exhaustive processing.
- Many exhaustive models fail to predict observed position effects and slope differences.
Conclusions:
- Observed position effects and slope differences are prevalent in rapid search literature.
- The exhaustive processing hypothesis is not tenable under typical experimental conditions for rapid visual search.