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Does the identification of simple features require serial processing?Several recent studies have shown performance decrements with increasing display size when background texture elements are present in a same-different feature discrimination task--a result that challenges the traditional notion that the identities of simple visual features are processed in parallel, preattentively. Four experiments are reported that explore the implications of these results. Experiment 1 replicates the recent studies but limits the generalizability of the results to small target numbers. Experiments 2 and 3 show that the observed performance decrements are not due to a serial or even limited-capacity, parallel process. Experiment 4 suggests that decision factors idiosyncratic to the use of texture elements in a same-different task are responsible for the effect. It is concluded that the identification of simple visual features proceeds in parallel, with unlimited capacity (i.e., preattentively).
Document ID
20050000909
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Folk, C. L.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Egeth, H.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of experimental psychology. Human perception and performance
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0096-1523
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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