Moving attention through visual space

J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform. 1979 Aug;5(3):522-6. doi: 10.1037//0096-1523.5.3.522.

Abstract

Several experiments have shown that attention as measured by simple reaction time to luminance increments can be shifted in the visual field while the eyes are kept in a fixed position. The shift of attention appears to take place within 50 msec following a cue indicating the most likely position of the target. The present study reports that these shifts of attention can be time locked to a central cue. Moreover, they show that a probe event located between the cue and the target receives maximal facilitation from attention at a time prior to maximal facilitation at the target. These results provide support for an analogue movement of attention across the visual field that does not involve the suppression found during saccades.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Attention*
  • Cues
  • Eye Movements*
  • Humans
  • Reaction Time
  • Visual Fields
  • Visual Perception*