Abstract
We discuss how, at the present time, there is a large deal of confusion in the attention literature regarding the use of the label " distractor" and what may be inferred from experiments using distractors. In particular, investigators seem to use the concepts of distractor interference and distractibility almost interchangeably. In contrast, we argue at both the theoretical and empirical levels that these two concepts are not only different, but in fact mutually exclusive. To that end, a brief review of several subliteratures is presented, in which we identify some examples of the misuse of these terms. We also propose a new paradigm for the study of distraction, as well as present a contemporary general theory of visual attention that provides a better framework for understanding distractor-interference effects, as well as instances of true distraction.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Psychology of Learning and Motivation - Advances in Research and Theory |
Publisher | Academic Press Inc. |
Pages | 261-315 |
Number of pages | 55 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2014 |
Publication series
Name | Psychology of Learning and Motivation - Advances in Research and Theory |
---|---|
Volume | 59 |
ISSN (Print) | 0079-7421 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Candidates
- Cognitive load
- Distractibility
- Distractor interference
- Distractors
- Flanker paradigm
- Potential targets
- Redundancy gain
- Set size
- Unexpected event paradigm
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
Cite this
When do the effects of distractors provide a measure of distractibility? / Lleras, Alejandro; Buetti, Simona; Mordkoff, J. Toby.
Psychology of Learning and Motivation - Advances in Research and Theory. Academic Press Inc., 2014. p. 261-315 (Psychology of Learning and Motivation - Advances in Research and Theory; Vol. 59).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
}
TY - CHAP
T1 - When do the effects of distractors provide a measure of distractibility?
AU - Lleras, Alejandro
AU - Buetti, Simona
AU - Mordkoff, J. Toby
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - We discuss how, at the present time, there is a large deal of confusion in the attention literature regarding the use of the label " distractor" and what may be inferred from experiments using distractors. In particular, investigators seem to use the concepts of distractor interference and distractibility almost interchangeably. In contrast, we argue at both the theoretical and empirical levels that these two concepts are not only different, but in fact mutually exclusive. To that end, a brief review of several subliteratures is presented, in which we identify some examples of the misuse of these terms. We also propose a new paradigm for the study of distraction, as well as present a contemporary general theory of visual attention that provides a better framework for understanding distractor-interference effects, as well as instances of true distraction.
AB - We discuss how, at the present time, there is a large deal of confusion in the attention literature regarding the use of the label " distractor" and what may be inferred from experiments using distractors. In particular, investigators seem to use the concepts of distractor interference and distractibility almost interchangeably. In contrast, we argue at both the theoretical and empirical levels that these two concepts are not only different, but in fact mutually exclusive. To that end, a brief review of several subliteratures is presented, in which we identify some examples of the misuse of these terms. We also propose a new paradigm for the study of distraction, as well as present a contemporary general theory of visual attention that provides a better framework for understanding distractor-interference effects, as well as instances of true distraction.
KW - Candidates
KW - Cognitive load
KW - Distractibility
KW - Distractor interference
KW - Distractors
KW - Flanker paradigm
KW - Potential targets
KW - Redundancy gain
KW - Set size
KW - Unexpected event paradigm
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84877941490&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84877941490&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/B978-0-12-407187-2.00007-1
DO - 10.1016/B978-0-12-407187-2.00007-1
M3 - Chapter
AN - SCOPUS:84877941490
T3 - Psychology of Learning and Motivation - Advances in Research and Theory
SP - 261
EP - 315
BT - Psychology of Learning and Motivation - Advances in Research and Theory
PB - Academic Press Inc.
ER -