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Individual Differences in Temporal Selective Attention as Reflected in Pupil Dilation

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  • Charlotte Willems
  • Johannes Herdzin
  • Sander Martens

Abstract

Background: Attention is restricted for the second of two targets when it is presented within 200–500 ms of the first target. This attentional blink (AB) phenomenon allows one to study the dynamics of temporal selective attention by varying the interval between the two targets (T1 and T2). Whereas the AB has long been considered as a robust and universal cognitive limitation, several studies have demonstrated that AB task performance greatly differs between individuals, with some individuals showing no AB whatsoever. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here, we studied these individual differences in AB task performance in relation to differences in attentional timing. Furthermore, we investigated whether AB magnitude is predictive for the amount of attention allocated to T1. For both these purposes pupil dilation was measured, and analyzed with our recently developed deconvolution method. We found that the dynamics of temporal attention in small versus large blinkers differ in a number of ways. Individuals with a relatively small AB magnitude seem better able to preserve temporal order information. In addition, they are quicker to allocate attention to both T1 and T2 than large blinkers. Although a popular explanation of the AB is that it is caused by an unnecessary overinvestment of attention allocated to T1, a more complex picture emerged from our data, suggesting that this may depend on whether one is a small or a large blinker. Conclusion: The use of pupil dilation deconvolution seems to be a powerful approach to study the temporal dynamics of attention, bringing us a step closer to understanding the elusive nature of the AB. We conclude that the timing of attention to targets may be more important than the amount of allocated attention in accounting for individual differences.

Suggested Citation

  • Charlotte Willems & Johannes Herdzin & Sander Martens, 2015. "Individual Differences in Temporal Selective Attention as Reflected in Pupil Dilation," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(12), pages 1-13, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0145056
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145056
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stefan M Wierda & Hedderik van Rijn & Niels A Taatgen & Sander Martens, 2010. "Distracting the Mind Improves Performance: An ERP Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(11), pages 1-7, November.
    2. C. Shawn Green & Daphne Bavelier, 2003. "Action video game modifies visual selective attention," Nature, Nature, vol. 423(6939), pages 534-537, May.
    3. Troy A W Visser & Jeneva L Ohan, 2012. "How Does Information Processing Speed Relate to the Attentional Blink?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(3), pages 1-8, March.
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