Abstract
In a series of four experiments, we investigated the conditions under which target-absent responses are faster than target-present responses in visual search. Previous experiments have shown that such an absent-advantage occurs mainly for homogeneous distractors arranged in a regular pattern. From these results, it has been concluded that the absent-advantage is due to perceptual processes, such as grouping by similarity. Our data show that such processes are not sufficient. Rather, the absentadvantage is the result of interactions between perceptual and decisional processes. Certain perceptual conditions, such as randomizing stimulus patterns, lead to specific criteria settings that produce an absent-advantage. That such an account can explain our main results is demonstrated by modeling our data with a modified version of the Guided Search 2 model.
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This research was supported by Research Grant Hu 432/6-1 from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) to the first author.
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Hübner, R., Malinowski, P. How to produce an absent-advantage in visual search. Perception & Psychophysics 63, 258–271 (2001). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03194467
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03194467