Visual search and foraging compared in a large-scale search task

Cognitive Processing
Alastair D SmithIain D Gilchrist

Abstract

It has been argued that visual search is a valid model for human foraging. However, the two tasks differ greatly in terms of the coding of space and the effort required to search. Here we describe a direct comparison between visually guided searches (as studied in visual search tasks) and foraging that is not based upon a visually distinct target, within the same context. The experiment was conducted in a novel apparatus, where search locations were indicated by an array of lights embedded in the floor. In visually guided conditions participants searched for a target defined by the presence of a feature (red target amongst green distractors) or the absence of a feature (green target amongst red and green distractors). Despite the expanded search scale and the different response requirements, these conditions followed the pattern found in conventional visual search paradigms: feature-present search latencies were not linearly related to display size, whereas feature-absent searches were longer as the number of distractors increased. In a non-visually guided foraging condition, participants searched for a target that was only visible once the switch was activated. This resulted in far longer latencies that rose markedly with disp...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 25, 2010·Experimental Brain Research·Alastair D SmithKirsten Cater
Oct 31, 2013·Attention, Perception & Psychophysics·Kate A LongstaffeIain D Gilchrist
Jan 14, 2012·Cognition·Grayden J F SolmanDaniel Smilek
Oct 31, 2015·Attention, Perception & Psychophysics·Sarah M Tower-RichardiJulie D Golomb
Feb 21, 2013·Experimental Psychology·Grayden J F SolmanDaniel Smilek
Oct 10, 2013·The Behavioral and Brain Sciences·Kate A LongstaffeIain D Gilchrist
Nov 9, 2016·Attention, Perception & Psychophysics·Grayden J F Solman, Alan Kingstone
Jul 10, 2019·Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications·Lauren H Williams, Trafton Drew
Feb 10, 2017·Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications·Inga María ÓlafsdóttirÁrni Kristjánsson
Sep 30, 2020·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology : QJEP·Josie Briscoe, Iain D Gilchrist
Mar 10, 2017·Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications·Charlotte A RiggsNick Donnelly
Mar 25, 2021·Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications·Caitlin A SiskYuhong V Jiang
Oct 6, 2021·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology : QJEP·Alastair David Smith, Carlo De Lillo

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