Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The time course of attentional zooming: A comparison of voluntary and involuntary allocation of attention to the levels of compound stimuli

  • Published:
Psychological Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The time course of attentional zooming between the levels of hierarchically structured compound stimuli (level-specific covert orienting of attention) is explored experimentally. The experiment compares the RTSOA functions of voluntarily and involuntarily initiated level-specific reorienting within a cost-benefit experiment using level-specific cues. With respect to the two modes of initiation, the results reveal no functional differences between attention shift and attentional zooming. Both can be initiated either voluntarily or involuntarily, the latter mode dominating the former; for both, involuntary initiation produces faster reorienting of attention than does voluntary initiation, and for both, involuntary initiation is more effective than voluntary initiation. However, the time needed to complete attentional orienting is about twice as long for zooming than for shifts. This quantitative difference suggests that there is a functional difference between level-specific and horizontal covert orienting. The difference is explained by postulating that zooming and attention shifts differ in the number of parameter sets that have to be adjusted in the reorienting of attention. The experiment also reveals that attentional zooming to the local level needs more time than does zooming to the global level. This result gives some support to the hypothesis that the RT difference between global and local identifications (Navon's global-dominance phenomenon) is due to an additional step in the course of reorienting attention away from the global level (which is usually attended to first) to the local level, when this level is to be identified.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Antes, J. R., & Mann, S. W. (1984). Global-local precedence in picture processing.Psychological Research, 46, 247–259.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bashinski, H. S., & Bacharach, V. R. (1980). Enhancement of perceptual sensitivity as a result of selectively attending to spatial locations.Perception & Psychophysics, 28, 241–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baylis, G. C., & Driver, J. (1992). Visual parsing and response competition: The effect of grouping factors.Perception & Psychophysics, 51, 145–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Breitmeyer, B. G., & Ganz, L. (1976). Implications of sustained and transient channels for theories of visual masking, saccadic suppression, and information processing.Psychological Review, 83, 1–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broadbent, D. E. (1977). The hidden preattentive processes.American Psychologist, 32, 109–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broadbent, D. E. (1982). Task combination and selective intake of information.Acta Psychologica, 50, 253–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchner, A. (1988). Räumliche Aufmerksamkeit: Einwände gegen das Lichtkegelmodell visueller Selektivität.Zeitschrift für Experimentelle und Angewandte Psychologie, 35, 523–545.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chastain, G. (1991). Time-course of location changes of visual attention.Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 29, 425–428.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chastain, G. (1992). Analog versus discrete shifts of attention across the visual field.Psychological Research, 54, 175–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheal, M., & Lyon, D. (1989). Attention effects on form discrimination at different eccentricities.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 41A, 719–746.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colegate, R., Hoffman, J. E., & Eriksen, C. W. (1973). Selective encoding from multi-element visual displays.Perception & Psychophysics, 14, 217–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Downing, C. J. (1988). Expectancy and visual-spatial attention: Effects on perceptual quality.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 14, 188–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Downing, C. J., & Pinker, S. (1985). The spatial structure of visual attention. In M. I. Posner & O. S. M. Marin (Eds.),Attention and performance XI (pp. 171–187). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Driver, J., & Baylis, G. C. (1989). Movement and visual attention: The spotlight metaphor breaks down.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 15, 448–456.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, J. (1984). Selective attention and the organization of visual information.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 113, 501–517.

    Google Scholar 

  • Egly, R., & Homa, D. (1984). Sensitization of the visual field.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 10, 778–793.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen, C. W., & Collins, J. F. (1969). Temporal course of selective attention.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 80, 254–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen, C. W., & Hoffman, J. E. (1972). Some characteristics of selective attention in visual perception determined by vocal reaction time.Perception & Psychophysics, 11, 169–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen, C. W., & Hoffman, J. E. (1973). The extent of processing of noise elements during selective encoding from visual displays.Perception & Psychophysics, 14, 155–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen, C. W., & Murphy, T. D. (1987). Movement of attentional focus across the visual field: A critical look at the evidence.Perception & Psychophysics, 42, 299–305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen, C. W., & Rohrbaugh, J. W. (1970). Some factors determining efficiency of selective attention.American Journal of Psychology, 83, 330–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen, C. W., & Schultz, D. W. (1979). Information processing in visual search: A continuous flow conception and experimental results.Perception & Psychophysics, 25, 249–263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen, C. W., & St James, J. D. (1986). Visual attention within and around the field of focal attention: A zoom lens model.Perception & Psychophysics, 40, 225–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen, C. W., & Webb, J. M. (1989). Shifting of attentional focus within and about a visual display.Perception & Psychophysics, 45, 175–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen, C. W., & Yeh, Y. Y. (1985). Allocation of attention in the visual field.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 11, 583–597.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helmholtz, H. von (1866).Handbuch der physiologischen Optik, Bd. 3: Die Lehre von den Gesichtswahnehmungen. Hamburg: Voss.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, J. M. (1991). Stimulus discrimination following covert attention orienting to an exogenous cue.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 17, 91–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, J. E. (1980). Interaction between global and local levels of a form.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 6, 222–234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jonides, J. (1980). Toward a model of the mind's eye.Canadian Journal of Psychology, 34, 103–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jonides, J. (1981). Voluntary vs. automatic control over the mind's eye's movement. In J. B. Long & A. D. Baddeley (Eds.),Attention and performance IX (pp. 187-203). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Julesz, B. (1980). Spatial-frequency channels in one-, two-, and three-dimensional vision: Variations on an auditory theme by Békésy. In C. S. Harris (Ed.),Visual coding and adaptability (pp. 263–316). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimchi, R. (1992). Primacy of holistic processing and global/local paradigm: A critical review.Psychological Bulletin, 112, 24–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimchi, R., & Palmer, S. E. (1982). Form and texture in hierarchically constructed patterns.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 8, 521–535.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinchla, R. A., & Wolfe, J. M. (1979). The order of visual processing: “Top-down”, “bottom-up”, or “middle-out”.Perception & Psychophysics, 25, 225–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinchla, R. A., Solis-Macias, V., & Hoffman, J. (1983). Attending to different levels of structure in a visual image.Perception & Psychophysics, 33, 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein, R., & Briand, K. (1986). Allocation of attention in visual space. Unpublished MS of a talk at the Banff Annual Seminar in Cognitive Science.

  • Kwak, H., Dagenbach, D., & Egeth, H. (1991). Further evidence for a time-independent shift of the focus of attention.Perception & Psychophysics, 49, 473–480.

    Google Scholar 

  • LaBerge, D. (1983). Spatial extent of attention to letters and words.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 9, 371–379.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lennie, P., Trevarthen, C., Waessle, H., & Van Essen, D. (1989). Parallel processing of visual information. In L. Spillman & J. Werner (Eds.),Visual perception: The neurophysiological foundations (pp. 103–161). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Livingstone, M., & Hubel, D. (1988). Segregation of form, color, movement, and depth: Anatomy, physiology, and perception.Science, 240, 740–749.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, M. (1979). Local and global processing. The role of sparsity.Memory & Cognition, 7, 476–484.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, J. (1981). Global precedence inattention and decision.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 7, 1161–1174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, J. (1989). The control of attention by abrupt visual onsets and offsets.Perception & Psychophysics, 45, 567–571.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller, H. J., & Findlay, J. M. (1987). Sensitivity and criterion effects in the spatial cuing of visual attention.Perception & Psychophysics, 42, 383–399.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller, H. J., & Findlay, J. M. (1988). The effect of visual attention on peripheral discrimination thresholds in single and multiple element displays.Acta Psychologica, 69, 129–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller, H. J., & Rabbitt, P. M. A. (1989). Reflexive and voluntary orienting of visual attention: Time course of activation and resistance to interruption.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception andPerformance, 15, 315–330.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, T. D., & Eriksen, C. W. (1987). Temporal changes in the distribution of attention in the visual field in response to precues.Perception & Psychophysics, 42, 576–586.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakayama, K., & Mackeben, M. (1989). Sustained and transient components of focal visual attention.Vision Research, 29, 1631–1689.

    Google Scholar 

  • Navon, D. (1977). Forest before trees: The precedence of global features in visual perception.Cognitive Psychology, 9, 353–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Navon, D. (1981). The forest revisited: More on global precedence.Psychological Research, 43, 1–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Navon, D. (1983). How many trees does it take to make a forest?Perception, 12, 239–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neisser, M. (1967).Cognitive psychology. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paquet, L., & Merikle, P. M. (1984). Global precedence: The effect of exposure duration.Canadian Journal of Psychology, 38, 45–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pomerantz, J. R. (1983). Global and local precedence: Selective attention in form and motion perception.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 112, 516–540.

    Google Scholar 

  • Posner, M. I. (1980). Orienting of attention.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 32, 3–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Posner, M. I., & Boies, S. (1971). Components of attention.Psychological Review, 78, 391–408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Posner, M. I., Nissen, M. J., & Ogden, W. C. (1978). Attended and unattended processing modes: The role of set for spatial location. In H. L. Pick & E. Saltzman (Eds.),Modes of perceiving and processing information (pp. 137–157). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Posner, M. I., Snyder, C. R. R., & Davidson, B. J. (1980). Attention and the detection of signals.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 109, 160–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Posner, M. I., Walker, J. A., Friedrich, F. J., & Rafal, R. D. (1984). Effects of parietal injury on covert orienting of attention.Journal of Neuroscience, 4, 1863–1874.

    Google Scholar 

  • Possamai, C. A. (1986). Composante spatiale de l'attention: Résultats et théorie.Canadian Journal of Psychology, 40, 388–413.

    Google Scholar 

  • Remington, R. W., Johnston, J. C., & Yantis, S. (1992). Involuntary attentional capture by abrupt onsets.Perception & Psychophysics, 51, 279–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Remington, R. W., & Pierce, L. (1984). Moving attention: Evidence for time-invariant shifts of visual selective attention.Perception & Psychophysics, 35, 393–399.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, W. X. (1993). Space-based visual attention models and object selection: Constraints, problems, and possible solutions.Psychological Research, 56, 35–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schultz, D., & Eriksen, C. W. (1978). Stimulus size and acuity in information processing.Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 12, 397–399.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapley, R. (1990). Visual sensitivity and parallel retinocortical channels.Annual Review of Psychology, 41, 635–658.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapley, R., & Perry, V. H. (1986). Cat and monkey retinal ganglion cells and their visual functional roles.Trends in Neuroscience, 9, 229–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, M. L., & Shaw, P. (1977). Optimal allocation of cognitive resources to spatial locations.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 3, 201–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepherd, M., & Müller, H. J. (1989). Movement versus focusing of visual attention.Perception & Psychophysics, 46, 146–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shulman, G. L., Remington, R. W., & McLean, J. P. (1979). Moving attention through visual space.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 5, 522–526.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shulman, G. L., Sheehy, J. B., & Wilson, J. (1986). Gradients of spatial attention.Acta Psychologica, 61, 167–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shulman, G. L., Sullivan, M. A., Gish, K., & Sakoda, W. J. (1986). The role of spatial-frequency channels in the perception of local and global structure.Perception, 15, 259–273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shulman, G. L., & Wilson, J. (1987). Spatial frequency and selective attention to local and global information.Perception, 16, 89–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoffer, T. H. (1988).Dynamische Aspekte der visuellen Aufmerksamkeit: Funktionelle Charakteristika der Fokussierdnderung vom Typ “Gummilinse” und ihre Beteiligung an der Entstehung der Dominanz globaler über lokale Merkmale. Bielefeld, Germany: University of Bielefeld.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoffer, T. H. (1991a). Attentional focussing and spatial stimulus-response compatibility.Psychological Research, 53, 127–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoffer, T. H. (1991b). Verarbeitung hierarchischer Reizmuster mit drei Ebenen: Ein Test der Präzedenzhypothese von Navon.Zeitschrift für Experimentelle undAngewandte Psychologie, 38, 113–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Theeuwes, J. (1991). Exogenous and endogenous control of attention: The effect of visual onsets and offsets.Perception & Psychophysics, 49, 83–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsal, Y. (1983). Movements of attention across the visual field.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 9, 523–530.

    Google Scholar 

  • Umiltà, C., Riggio, L., Dascola, I., & Rizzolatti, G. (1991). Differential effects of central and peripheral cues on the reorienting of spatial attention.European Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 3, 247–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Heijden, A. H. C., Schreuder, R., & Wolters, G. (1985). Enhancing single-item recognition accuracy by cueing spatial locations in vision.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 37A, 427–434.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wandmacher, J., & Arend, U. (1985). Superiority of global features in classification and matching.Psychological Research, 47, 143–157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, L. W. (1982). Determinants of attention to local and global features of visual forms.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 8, 562–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, L. M. (1983). On processing dominance: Comment on Pomerantz.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 112, 541–546.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, L. M. (1985). Covert focussing of the attentional gaze.Canadian Journal of Psychology, 39, 546–563.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warner, C. B., Juola, J. F., & Koshino, H. (1990). Voluntary allocation versus automatic capture of visual attention.Perception & Psychophysics, 48, 243–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weichselgartner, E., & Sperling, G. (1987). Dynamics of automatic and controlled visual attention.Science, 238, 778–780.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yantis, S. (1988). On analog movements of visual attention.Perception & Psychophysics, 43, 203–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yantis, S., & Jonides, J. (1984). Abrupt visual onsets and selective attention: Evidence from visual search.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 10, 601–621.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yantis, S., & Jonides, J. (1990). Abrupt visual onsets and selective attention: Voluntary versus automatic allocation.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 16, 121–134.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für psychologische Forschung, Leopoldstr. 24, D-80802, München, Germany

    Thomas H. Stoffer

Authors
  1. Thomas H. Stoffer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stoffer, T.H. The time course of attentional zooming: A comparison of voluntary and involuntary allocation of attention to the levels of compound stimuli. Psychol. Res 56, 14–25 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00572129

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00572129

Keywords

Search

Navigation