EEG Correlates of Attentional Load during Multiple Object Tracking
Author Information
Author(s): Sternshein Heather, Agam Yigal, Sekuler Robert
Primary Institution: Brandeis University
Hypothesis
Distinguishing Targets from Distractors depends upon the differential attention devoted to objects in each class.
Conclusion
As tracking load increases, the difference in attention between Targets and Distractors diminishes, leading to more errors in tracking performance.
Supporting Evidence
- Behavioral performance decreased with increasing load.
- ERP amplitude declined with load for both Targets and Distractors.
- The difference in ERPs between Targets and Distractors narrowed as tracking load increased.
Takeaway
When people try to keep track of moving objects, it's harder to tell which ones are important when there are more objects to watch.
Methodology
Subjects tracked moving objects while EEG was recorded to measure attention through event-related potentials.
Potential Biases
The methods used to assess tracked objects may not guarantee accuracy in identifying which objects were actually tracked.
Limitations
The study cannot rule out changes in attentional strategy between different load conditions.
Participant Demographics
Twenty-two right-handed subjects (14 female; age range: 19–30) with normal or corrected vision.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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