The modulation of object-based attentional selection by facial expressions

Abstract

Human beings can show preferentially attentional bias to different facial expressions. However, it is unclear whether the modulation of selective attention by facial expressions is based on the face itself (object-based attention) or its location (space-based attention). The current study aimed to test this problem by using faces with different emotional valences in the two-rectangle paradigm across three experiments. We found that there was no significant difference in space-based effect among the positive, neutral, and negative conditions. However, the object-based effect was larger for the negative condition than for the neutral and positive ones, because of its slower reaction times for the invalid different-object trials. The results indicated that the object-based attentional selection was modulated by facial expressions, and that faces expressing negative emotions hamper the disengagement of attention from the whole object (i.e., the face), instead of the certain location. Our study can further add support to the attentional prioritization hypothesis over attentional spreading hypothesis.

Neutral animals matter: Animacy modulates object-based attentional allocation

“…The results obtained in Experiment 1 revealed that both animate and inanimate objects can elicit object-based effects. This was in line with the interpretation that animate and inanimate objects can also establish strong object representation, which was the determining factor to induce object-based attention (e.g., Hu, Liu, Song et al, 2021; Shomstein & Behrmann, 2008; Zhao et al, 2015). However, previous studies have found that dangerous animals can capture and hold attention (e.g., Bugaiska et al, 2018; Lipp & Waters, 2007; LoBue, 2010).…”

“…The results of the present study demonstrate that neutral animate and inanimate objects could elicit object-based attention as other real objects. Regardless of whether the objects are animate or inanimate, they can elicit object-based attention similar to other real objects (e.g., Hollingworth et al, 2012; Hu, Liu, Song et al, 2021; Hu et al, 2021; Malcolm & Shomstein, 2015; Scotti et al, 2016; Zhao et al, 2020). For instance, Zhao et al (2020) investigated object-based attention by using monetary objects.…”

“…We set the alpha level at .05, and all 28 participants provided .95 power to find a medium-sized effect ( f = 0.25; Cohen, 1992) for the interaction in a 2 × 3 within-subjects ANOVA. Moreover, the sample size was also based on the number of participants in previous studies about object-based attention, ranging from 25 to 30 participants (e.g., Hu et al, 2021; Song et al, 2021; Zhao et al, 2020). Based on these analyses, we recruited 30 students to participate in this experiment.…”

Faces do not guide attention in an object-based facilitation manner

“…Hu et al ( 2021 ) and Song et al ( 2021 ) found significant OBA effects in faces when focusing on the role of facial expressions and eye gaze. They reached the conclusion that facial expressions and eye gaze can modulate the magnitude of the OBA effect.…”

“…In these studies, the two rectangles were replaced by two human faces and the OBA effect was measured by the difference between the within and between conditions. However, these studies encountered challenges in reliably demonstrating the OBA effect with human faces (e.g., Valenza & Calignano, 2021 ; Valenza et al, 2014 ; Xie et al, 2022 ; but see Hu et al, 2021 ; Song et al, 2021 ; Yan et al, 2022 ).…”