We can guide search by a set of colors, but are reluctant to do it

Abstract

For some real-world color searches, the target colors are not precisely known, and any item within a range of color values should be attended. Thus, a target representation that captures multiple similar colors would be advantageous. If such a multicolor search is possible, then search for two targets (e.g.,

Humans can efficiently look for but not select multiple visual objects

“…First, while there may have been little seriality in selecting the targets from the displays on the basis of color, there may have been a serial component in accessing their alphanumeric identity — a component to which our classifier was not sensitive. Moreover, there is still a distinct possibility that imposing seriality is a valid strategy that observers may deploy to resolve competition between different target features, but that such choices depend on tasks, context, or instructions (Cave et al, 2018; Stroud et al, 2019). For example, we previously observed evidence for serial switching in a different paradigm when observers had to select only one of two targets present, and were instructed to switch at least a few times during a block (Ort et al, 2019; van Driel et al, 2019).…”

The capacity of multiple-target search

“…Given that eye movements are tightly linked to the attentional system (e.g., Awh et al, 2006;Deubel & Schneider, 1996), measures like the latency of the first eye movement, or the selectivity of fixations on target items can be taken to reflect the effect of preparation and interactions of top-down biases with the visual input leading up to selection, while fixation duration on an item is taken as indicative of post-selection decision processes. Studies that used oculomotor measures indeed indicate that limitations of MTS emerge at the earlier stages of either preparation or attentional guidance prior to selection, as both latency and selectivity of saccades worsens with more targets to look for (Barrett & Zobay, 2019;Beck et al, 2012;Cave et al, 2018;Hout & Goldinger, 2015;Stroud et al, 2011;Stroud et al, 2012;Stroud et al, 2019). However, there is also evidence for a limitation of post-selection decision processes, as is expressed in fixation durations (Hout & Goldinger, 2015).…”

“…One such situation occurs when search targets are adjacent in feature space (e.g., looking for red and orange targets among green and turquoise distractors). However, it is doubtful to what extent this scenario represents true MTS, as a single template ("e.g., red-ish orange") could be set up to guide attention to either of these features (D'Zmura, 1991;Hout & Goldinger, 2015;Menneer et al, 2009;Stroud et al, 2019), rendering search essentially a single target search for a broadly or fuzzily defined target.…”

Humans can efficiently look for but not select multiple visual objects

“…First, while there may have been little seriality in selecting the targets from the displays on the basis of color, there may have been a serial component in accessing their alphanumeric identity -a component to which our classifier was not sensitive. Moreover, there is still a distinct possibility that imposing seriality is a valid strategy that observers may deploy to resolve competition between different target features, but that such choices depend on tasks, context, or instructions (51,52). For example, we previously observed evidence for serial switching in a different paradigm when observers had to select only one of two targets present, and were instructed to switch at least a few times during a block (15,53).…”