Off-campus UNL users: To download campus access dissertations, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your NU ID and password. When you are done browsing please remember to return to this page and log out.
Non-UNL users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this dissertation through interlibrary loan.
Attentional Processing in a Modified Multiple-Object Tracking Paradigm
Abstract
The present dissertation aims to better understand the flexibility and capacity limits on attentional allocation in dynamic contexts, as well as the degree to which tracking and search performance may be influenced by these processes. A novel paradigm was developed which combines a dynamic pop-out display with the standard multiple-object tracking task. Participants saw numerous moving objects on screen with colors changing continuously. A unique search target pops-out at a single point when the shade of all other objects becomes identical. Three task conditions were manipulated: a track-only task where participants track the location of a subset of the moving objects; a search-only task where participants search for a unique search target, and a dual task where they both track the moving targets and respond to the unique search target at its onset. Experiment 1 tested this novel paradigm, examined the mechanisms driving search efficiency in dynamic context as well as dual task interference on both tracking and search performance. Experiment 2 consists of three sub-experiments, each of which utilizes a different method to examine the effect of cognitive processing orientations (global vs. local) on track and search efficiency. Experiment 3 explores the influence of task set changes when a dual task component is introduced. Across all three experiments, search for a unique target in dynamic contexts was found to require focused attention and that tracking and searching appear to involve similar processing mechanism that likely compete to draw from a shared pool of resources. However, whether a search target was part of the track set did not influence tracking or searching efficiency. Adopting a global processing orientation helps to maintain a broader focus of attention which in turn improves tracking efficiency. Lastly, participants exhibited a general ability to perform tasks that involve track set changes, suggesting there is at least some flexibility for individuals to freely allocate attention during tracking. Taken together, the current dissertation provides insight into the flexibility and capacity of attentional allocation in dynamic contexts.
Subject Area
Psychology|Cognitive psychology|Experimental psychology
Recommended Citation
Fu, Mengzhu, "Attentional Processing in a Modified Multiple-Object Tracking Paradigm" (2023). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI30488364.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI30488364