Guided search: An alternative to the feature integration model for visual search.

TLDR

The study employed a two‑stage guided‑search model in which subjects searched arrays of items for targets defined by color‑form, color‑orientation, or color‑size conjunctions while set size was varied and reaction times were recorded, and the model posits that parallel feature processes guide attention during search. The data show that unpracticed subjects exhibit shallow RT‑set size slopes inconsistent with Treisman's serial feature‑integration model, that triple‑conjunction searches are easier and set‑size independent, and that a guided‑search model with parallel feature guidance explains these findings.

Abstract

Subjects searched sets of items for targets defined by conjunctions of color and form, color and orientation, or color and size. Set size was varied and reaction times (RT) were measured. For many unpracticed subjects, the slopes of the resulting RT X Set Size functions are too shallow to be consistent with Treisman's feature integration model, which proposes serial, self-terminating search for conjunctions. Searches for triple conjunctions (Color X Size X Form) are easier than searches for standard conjunctions and can be independent of set size. A guided search model similar to Hoffman's (1979) two-stage model can account for these data. In the model, parallel processes use information about simple features to guide attention in the search for conjunctions. Triple conjunctions are found more efficiently than standard conjunctions because three parallel processes can guide attention more effectively than two.