Consequences of allocating attention to locations and to other attributes

Abstract

Simple reaction time to a light target may be lengthened when the light is preceded by a noninformative stimulus at the same location. This is known as inhibition of return. Does inhibition of return result if the relation between successive stimuli is defined in terms of color or orientation? Subjects pressed a key when a small square was displayed. In Experiments 1-3, location and color of the square were manipulated; there was inhibition of return based on location, but not on color. In Experiments 4-5, a confounding of color and luminance was eliminated, with no change in results. In Experiments 6-7, the background was composed of vertical stripes and the squares were composed of left- or right-oriented diagonal stripes. There was evidence of inhibition of return based on location, but not on orientation. These data support the idea that location is processed differently from other features.