TY - JOUR
T1 - Spatial context learning in visual search and change detection
AU - Jiang, Yuhong
AU - Song, Joo Hyun
PY - 2005/10
Y1 - 2005/10
N2 - Humans conduct visual search more efficiently when the same display is presented for a second time, showing learning of repeated spatial contexts. In this study, we investigate spatial context learning in two tasks: visual search and change detection. In both tasks, we ask whether subjects learn to associate the target with the entire spatial layout of a repeated display (configural learning) or with individual distractor locations (nonconfigural learning). We show that nonconfigural learning results from visual search tasks, but not from change detection tasks. Furthermore, a spatial layout acquired in visual search tasks does not enhance change detection on the same display, whereas a spatial layout acquired in change detection tasks moderately enhances visual search. We suggest that although spatial context learning occurs in multiple tasks, the content of learning is, in part, task specific.
AB - Humans conduct visual search more efficiently when the same display is presented for a second time, showing learning of repeated spatial contexts. In this study, we investigate spatial context learning in two tasks: visual search and change detection. In both tasks, we ask whether subjects learn to associate the target with the entire spatial layout of a repeated display (configural learning) or with individual distractor locations (nonconfigural learning). We show that nonconfigural learning results from visual search tasks, but not from change detection tasks. Furthermore, a spatial layout acquired in visual search tasks does not enhance change detection on the same display, whereas a spatial layout acquired in change detection tasks moderately enhances visual search. We suggest that although spatial context learning occurs in multiple tasks, the content of learning is, in part, task specific.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=32644454123&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=32644454123&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3758/BF03193546
DO - 10.3758/BF03193546
M3 - Article
C2 - 16502835
AN - SCOPUS:32644454123
SN - 0031-5117
VL - 67
SP - 1128
EP - 1139
JO - Perception and Psychophysics
JF - Perception and Psychophysics
IS - 7
ER -