Abstract
A major issue in elementary cognition and information processing has been whether rapid search of short-term memory or a visual display can terminate when a predesignated target is found or whether it must proceed until all items are examined. This study summarizes past and recent theoretical results on the ability of self-terminating and exhaustive models to predict differences in slopes between positive (target-present) and negative (target-absent) set-size functions, as well as position effects. The empirical literature is reviewed with regard to the presence of slope differences and position effects. Theoretical investigations demonstrate that self-terminating models can readily predict the results often associated with exhaustive processing, but a very broad class of exhaustive models is incapable of predicting position effects and slope differences typically associated with self-termination. Because position effects and slope differences are found throughout the rapid search literature, we conclude that the exhaustive processing hypothesis is not tenable under common experimental conditions.
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This research was supported by NSF Grant BNS-831-9377, awarded to J.T.T.
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Van Zandt, T., Townsend, J.T. Self-terminating versus exhaustive processes in rapid visual and memory search: An evaluative review. Perception & Psychophysics 53, 563–580 (1993). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03205204
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03205204