Learning in visual search

Question 1

Contextual cuing

Answer 1

~ when the configuration of the distractors, cues you to where the target of your search is
~ learning guide the attentional spotlight

Question 2

Recognition performance

Answer 2

~ these are ‘subjective’ measures of your awareness
~ likely to be insensitive to knowledge
~ participants have low confident in their knowledge
~ better method = forced-recognition

Question 3

Chun and Jiang (1998)

Answer 3

~ first demonstration of contextual cuing - showed quicker reaction times when participants presented with repeated sequences
~ given old-vs new recognition task –> 52% correct but no sig. above chance
~ suggested that contextual cuing driven by implicit learning

Question 4

Implicit learning

Answer 4

Learning in the absence of any conscious awareness of what has been learnt

Question 5

Smyth and Shanks (suggestions)

Answer 5

(2008)
~ perhaps recognition tests used previously were not sensitive, two changes:
- generate target quadrant
- repeat testing = more data

Question 6

Smyth and Shanks (study)

Answer 6

(2008)
~ repeated configurations had a higher percentage correct
~ performance was above chance
~ took time to show this
~ similar retest effect observed
~ supports implicit learning

Question 7

Jiang and Chun (2001)

Answer 7

~ when attention was focussed on one set of distractors (green) the repetition of the other set (red) went unnoticed
~ unattended distractors did not cue target location
~ selective attention modulates contextual cuing

Question 8

Computational model of contextual cuing

Answer 8

Output = model needs to decide where to look for a target
Weights/learning = model needs to learn how to use the input to produce the correct output
Input = model will be given the features of the scene (stimuli)

Question 9

Brady and Chun’s model of contextual cuing

Answer 9

(2007)
~ the model is learning to predict the correct location of the target form the spatial arrangement of objects in the pattern
~ model has a pattern of activation on it output units

Question 10

Brady and Chun’s model of contextual cuing - STIMULATION RESULTS

Answer 10

~ the model can produce a contextual cuing effect

~ it checks fewer location on predictive patterns –> learnt to predict where the target is for the patterns

Question 11

Benefit of modelling

Answer 11

~ can be used to account for contextual cuing
~ can be used to generate clear predictions
~ predictions can be tested and models can be falsified

Question 12

Computational model

Answer 12

a precise definition of a part of the cognitive process

Question 13

A theory that is merely expressed verbally…

Answer 13

… can often be presented with a multitude of caveats

–> bad for science