Abstract
When target features are repeated across consecutive search trials, response times (RTs) are
faster compared to trials in which target features change (eg Maljkovic and Nakayama, 1994
Memory & Cognition 22 657 ^ 672). To investigate how feature type and the roles that features
play in target definition affect priming, we manipulated the roles of colour and orientation in
defining the search target, while participants responded to the orientation of a `T' inside this
target. In experiment 1, the target differed from distractors in orientation, while target colour
was irrelevant to the search. Repeating irrelevant target colour produced significantly faster RTs,
but repeating target-relevant orientation slowed RTs. In experiment 2, the roles of colour
and orientation were reversed: the target now differed from distractors by its colour, while
target orientation was irrelevant. Again, a significant RT advantage was found for repeating target
colour, but not for repeating target orientation. Thus, it seems that repetition priming is at least
partly dependent on feature type, rather than the role of feature type in target definition. Further-
more, these data are not consistent with suggestions that an episodic representation of the target
(Huang et al, 2004 Memory & Cognition 32 12 ^ 20) is stored across trials.
[Supported by a BBSRC postgraduate studentship.]
Translated title of the contribution | Feature type modulates priming in visual search |
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Original language | English |
Pages | 158 - 158 |
Number of pages | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 2006 |