Templates for rejection: configuring attention to ignore task-irrelevant features

Abstract

Theories of attention are compatible with the idea that we can bias attention to avoid selecting objects that have known nontarget features. Although this may underlie several existing phenomena, the explicit guidance of attention away from known nontargets has yet to be demonstrated. Here we show that observers can use feature cues (i.e., color) to bias attention away from nontarget items during visual search. These negative cues were used to quickly instantiate a template for rejection that reliably facilitated search across the cue-to-search stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs), although negative cues were not as potent as cues that guide attention toward target features. Furthermore, by varying the search set size we show a template for rejection is increasingly effective in facilitating search as scene complexity increases. Our findings demonstrate that knowing what not to look for can be used to configure attention to avoid certain features, complimenting what is known about setting attention to select certain target features.

Figure 1

Example trial sequence showing a negative-cue trial with a set size of 12 items.

Figure 2

The findings from Experiments 1A and 1B showing the reaction time (RT) results from the three cue-type conditions. Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals (Loftus & Loftus, 1988) in this a subsequent figures.

Figure 3

The findings from Experiment 2. The results from Experiment 2 showing mean RTs (left panel) and the RT benefits (positive and negative cue RTs minus neutral cue RTs, right panel) at each set size.

Figure 4

The findings from Experiment 3. The RT benefits as a function of cue type and SOA from Experiment 3A (left) and 3B (right).