Distractor Ratio and Grouping Processes in Visual Conjunction Search

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Abstract
According to feature integration theory, conjunction search is conducted via a serial self-terminating search. However, effects attributed to search processes operating on the entire display may actually reflect search restricted to elements defined by a single feature. In experiment 1 this question is addressed in a reaction-time (RT) paradigm by varying distractor ratios within an array of fixed size. For trials in which the target was present in the array, RT functions were roughly symmetric, the shortest RTs being for extreme distractor ratios, and the longest RTs being for arrays in which there were an equal number of each distractor type. This result is superficially consistent with Zohary and Hochstein's interpretation that subjects search for only one distractor type and are able to switch search strategy from trial to trial. However, negative-trial data from experiment 1 cast doubt on this interpretation. In experiment 2 the possible role of ‘pop out’ and of distractor grouping in visual conjunction search is investigated. Results of experiment 2 suggest that grouping may play a more important role than does distractor ratio, and point to the importance of the spatial layout of the target and of the distractor elements in visual conjunction search. Results of experiment 2 also provide clear evidence that groups of spatially adjacent homogeneous elements may be processed as a unit.