Selection history modulates the limit of visual awareness in color perception

Abstract

Among studies on the limit of conscious representation of color at a given instant, some have shown evidence of momentary awareness of only a single color, while others have not, leading to uncertainty about the factors that influence the limit. In two experiments, we explored the role of selection history, or recent experience with a trial, which is known to influence the representations of task stimuli and responses. Two color patches were briefly displayed either simultaneously or sequentially.In Experiment 1, we presented the two types of trials either in separate blocks or in interleaved couplets. In the former case, participants could deploy optimal attentional control setting in response to different types of trials with little cost by using recent experience with a preceding trial and prior knowledge. In the latter case, reconfiguring attentional control setting after each trial would be costly. In Experiment 2, we mixed the two types of trials randomly within a block during testing, but re-grouped them in data analyses such that the same type of trials was either repeated or not repeated. The results show that accuracy was comparable between the simultaneous and sequential trials in the block condition in Experiment 1 and in the repeat condition in Experiment 2, suggesting that two colors were perceived at a time. These results indicate that selection history plays an important role in the limit of visual awareness in color perception and that the finding of single-color perception reported in previous research might not be a general phenomenon.

The role of processing efficiency and selection history in the limit of visual awareness in shape perception

“… Chen and Chen (2021) further demonstrated that the unit of access in color perception was modulated by participants’ prior experience within a task. Accuracy was higher in the sequential trials than in the simultaneous ones when the two types of trials were presented in interleaved couplets but not in separate blocks.…”

“…Experiments 1 A and 1 B (see Figure 1 ) were modeled after the two experiments in Chen and Chen (2021) . Unlike our previous study, in which the target set consisted of four highly discriminable color patches, in the present experiments we used four geometric shapes that were less discriminable.…”

“…However, there have also been studies that reported different results (e.g., Chen & Chen, 2021 ; Fitousi, 2019 ; Hao, Becker, Ye, Liu, & Liu, 2018 ; Mance, Becker, & Liu, 2012 ; Miller et al . , 2014 ; Rideaux, Apthorp, & Edwards, 2015 ).…”

“…Factors such as response strategies, the size of attentional zoom, and the allocation of attentional resources can all be affected by participants’ prior experience ( Chen, 2003 ; Chen & Cave, 2013 ; Chen & Cave, 2016 ; for a review, see Awh, Belopolsky, & Theeuwes, 2012 ). When the same type of trials was presented in succession, such as in the block and repeat conditions in Chen and Chen (2021) , an optional attentional setting could be used from trial to trial, resulting in comparable performance between the simultaneous and sequential trials. However, when the type of trials changed from trial to trial, it became too costly or impossible to deploy an optimal attentional setting on a given trial.…”

“…Across different experiments, we manipulated processing efficiency by requiring participants to respond to geometric shapes (less efficient) or alphabet letters (more efficient). Following Chen and Chen (2021) , we examined selection history by showing the simultaneous and sequential trials in separate block, interleaved couplets, or by mixing the two types of trials within the same block during testing, but re-grouping them into repeat and switch conditions in data analyses. Of specific interest was whether participants would perceive more alphabet letters than geometric shapes at a given time, and whether this pattern of data would depend on participants’ selection history.…”