Attentional Guidance in Visual Search

Abstract

Earlier research has shown that a task-irrelevant sudden onset of an object will capture or draw an observer's visual attention to that object (e.g., Yantis & Jonides, 1984). Further research however has demonstrated the apparent inability of an object with a task-irrelevant but unique color or luminance to capture attention (Jonides & Yantis, 1988). The experiments reported here re-explore the question of whether task-irrelevant properties other than sudden onset may capture attention. The results suggest that a uniquely colored or luminous object, as well as a salient though irrelevant boundary, may indeed capture or guide attention, though apparently to a lesser degree than sudden onset.