Expert attention: Attentional allocation depends on the differential development of multisensory number representations.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_B0620F1EE2EE
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Expert attention: Attentional allocation depends on the differential development of multisensory number representations.
Journal
Cognition
Author(s)
Matusz P.J., Merkley R., Faure M., Scerif G.
ISSN
1873-7838 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0010-0277
Publication state
Published
Issued date
05/2019
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
186
Pages
171-177
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Traditional models developed within cognitive psychology suggest that attention is deployed flexibly and irrespective of differences in expertise with to-be-attended stimuli. However, everyday environments are inherently multisensory and observers differ in familiarity with particular unisensory representations (e.g., number words, in contrast with digits). To test whether the predictions of the traditional models extend to such naturalistic settings, six-year-olds, 11-year-olds and young adults (N = 83) searched for predefined numerals amongst a small or large number of distractor digits, while distractor number words, digits or their combination were presented peripherally. Concurrently presented number words and audiovisual stimuli that were compatible with the target digit facilitated young children's selective attention. In contrast, for older children and young adults number words and audiovisual stimuli that were incompatible with their visual targets resulted in a cost on reaction time. These findings suggest that multisensory and familiarity-based influences interact dynamically as they shape selective attention. Therefore, models of selective attention should include multisensory and familiarity-dependent constraints: more or less familiar object representations across modalities will be attended to differently, with their effects visible as predominant benefits for attention at one level but costs at another.
Keywords
Acoustic Stimulation, Adult, Age Factors, Attention, Auditory Perception, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Mathematical Concepts, Pattern Recognition, Visual, Photic Stimulation, Psychomotor Performance, Reaction Time, Young Adult, Children, Multisensory, Number words, Numerals
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
25/03/2019 19:17
Last modification date
26/06/2020 5:21
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