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The Time Course of Attention: Selection Is Transient

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  • Anna Wilschut
  • Jan Theeuwes
  • Christian N L Olivers

Abstract

The time course of attention has often been investigated using a spatial cuing task. However, attention likely consists of multiple components, such as selectivity (resolving competition) and orienting (spatial shifting). Here we sought to investigate the time course of the selective aspect of attention, using a cuing task that did not require spatial shifting. In several experiments, targets were always presented at central fixation, and were preceded by a cue at different cue-target intervals. The selection component of attention was investigated by manipulating the presence of distractors. Regardless of the presence of distractors, an initial rapid performance enhancement was found that reached its maximum at around 100 ms post cue onset. Subsequently, when the target was the only item in the display, performance was sustained, but when the target was accompanied by irrelevant distractor items, performance declined. This temporal pattern matches closely with the transient attention response that has been found in spatial cuing studies, and shows that the selectivity aspect of attention is transient.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Wilschut & Jan Theeuwes & Christian N L Olivers, 2011. "The Time Course of Attention: Selection Is Transient," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(11), pages 1-10, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0027661
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027661
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    1. Yaffa Yeshurun & Marisa Carrasco, 1998. "Attention improves or impairs visual performance by enhancing spatial resolution," Nature, Nature, vol. 396(6706), pages 72-75, November.
    2. Steven A. Hackley & Fernando Valle-Inclán, 1998. "Automatic alerting does not speed late motoric processes in a reaction-time task," Nature, Nature, vol. 391(6669), pages 786-788, February.
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