Competition explains limited attention and perceptual resources: implications for perceptual load and dilution theories
Both perceptual load theory and dilution theory purport to explain when and why task-irrelevant information, or so-called distractors are processed. Central to both explanations is the notion of limited resources, although the theories differ in the precise way in which those limitations affect dist...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2013-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00243/full |
| _version_ | 1819239606586966016 |
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| author | Paige E. Scalf Ana eTorralbo Evelina eTapia Diane M. Beck |
| author_facet | Paige E. Scalf Ana eTorralbo Evelina eTapia Diane M. Beck |
| author_sort | Paige E. Scalf |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Both perceptual load theory and dilution theory purport to explain when and why task-irrelevant information, or so-called distractors are processed. Central to both explanations is the notion of limited resources, although the theories differ in the precise way in which those limitations affect distractor processing. We have recently proposed a neurally plausible explanation of limited resources in which neural competition among stimuli hinders their representation in the brain. This view of limited capacity can also explain distractor processing, whereby the competitive interactions and bias imposed to resolve the competition determine the extent to which a distractor is processed. This idea is compatible with aspects of both perceptual load and dilution models of distractor processing, but also serves to highlight their differences. Here we review the evidence in favor of a biased competition view of limited resources and relate these ideas to both classic perceptual load theory and dilution theory. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T13:54:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-44645761bb6243c8864b3ffabd7fc427 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T13:54:48Z |
| publishDate | 2013-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-44645761bb6243c8864b3ffabd7fc4272022-12-21T17:44:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782013-05-01410.3389/fpsyg.2013.0024346300Competition explains limited attention and perceptual resources: implications for perceptual load and dilution theoriesPaige E. Scalf0Ana eTorralbo1Evelina eTapia2Diane M. Beck3University of ArizonaUniversity College LondonUniversity of IllinoisUniversity of IllinoisBoth perceptual load theory and dilution theory purport to explain when and why task-irrelevant information, or so-called distractors are processed. Central to both explanations is the notion of limited resources, although the theories differ in the precise way in which those limitations affect distractor processing. We have recently proposed a neurally plausible explanation of limited resources in which neural competition among stimuli hinders their representation in the brain. This view of limited capacity can also explain distractor processing, whereby the competitive interactions and bias imposed to resolve the competition determine the extent to which a distractor is processed. This idea is compatible with aspects of both perceptual load and dilution models of distractor processing, but also serves to highlight their differences. Here we review the evidence in favor of a biased competition view of limited resources and relate these ideas to both classic perceptual load theory and dilution theory.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00243/fullcompetitionlimited capacityperceptual loaddilutionlimited resources |
| spellingShingle | Paige E. Scalf Ana eTorralbo Evelina eTapia Diane M. Beck Competition explains limited attention and perceptual resources: implications for perceptual load and dilution theories Frontiers in Psychology competition limited capacity perceptual load dilution limited resources |
| title | Competition explains limited attention and perceptual resources: implications for perceptual load and dilution theories |
| title_full | Competition explains limited attention and perceptual resources: implications for perceptual load and dilution theories |
| title_fullStr | Competition explains limited attention and perceptual resources: implications for perceptual load and dilution theories |
| title_full_unstemmed | Competition explains limited attention and perceptual resources: implications for perceptual load and dilution theories |
| title_short | Competition explains limited attention and perceptual resources: implications for perceptual load and dilution theories |
| title_sort | competition explains limited attention and perceptual resources implications for perceptual load and dilution theories |
| topic | competition limited capacity perceptual load dilution limited resources |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00243/full |
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