Attentional signatures of perception: multiple object tracking reveals the automaticity of contour interpolation.

ABSTRACT: Multiple object tracking (MOT) is an attentional task wherein observers attempt to track multiple targets among moving distractors. Contour interpolation is a perceptual process that fills-in nonvisible edges on the basis of how surrounding edges (inducers) are spatiotemporally related. In five experiments, we explored the automaticity of interpolation through its influences on tracking. We found that (1) when the edges of targets and distractors jointly formed dynamic illusory or occluded contours, tracking accuracy worsened; (2) when interpolation bound all four targets together, performance improved; (3) when interpolation strength was weakened (by altering the size or relative orientation of inducing edges), tracking effects disappeared; and (4) real and interpolated contours influence

SUBMITTER: Keane BP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6656532 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature