TY - JOUR
T1 - Feature processing and attention in the human visual system
T2 - An overview
AU - Heslenfeld, D. J.
AU - Kenemans, J. L.
AU - Kok, A.
AU - Molenaar, P. C.M.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by grant number 575-65-058 from the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) to D.J. Heslenfeld. We like to thank A.H.C. Van der Heijden and an anonymous reviewer for stimulating comments on an earlier version of this paper.
PY - 1997/3/21
Y1 - 1997/3/21
N2 - A recent development in the cognitive modelling of visual selective attention is the incorporation of design principles derived from the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the primate visual system. In this paper, we describe these recent 'neurocognitive' models in more detail, point out the underlying neurobiological principles, and show that in all cases attention is implemented as an energetical resource which can be directed to representations and pathways in the system. In the second part of the paper, we specify the predictions derived from this 'energy hypothesis', and evaluate available data pertaining to this issue. We present new analyses of electrophysiological data in order to directly test the hypothesis that attention modulates feature-specific representations. It will be shown that in the case of sustained spatial attention, the data are in agreement with this hypothesis, whereas in the case of nonspatial attention, there is no evidence of a modulation of feature-specific pathways by attention.
AB - A recent development in the cognitive modelling of visual selective attention is the incorporation of design principles derived from the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the primate visual system. In this paper, we describe these recent 'neurocognitive' models in more detail, point out the underlying neurobiological principles, and show that in all cases attention is implemented as an energetical resource which can be directed to representations and pathways in the system. In the second part of the paper, we specify the predictions derived from this 'energy hypothesis', and evaluate available data pertaining to this issue. We present new analyses of electrophysiological data in order to directly test the hypothesis that attention modulates feature-specific representations. It will be shown that in the case of sustained spatial attention, the data are in agreement with this hypothesis, whereas in the case of nonspatial attention, there is no evidence of a modulation of feature-specific pathways by attention.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0301-0511(96)05228-3
DO - 10.1016/S0301-0511(96)05228-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 9083650
AN - SCOPUS:0031056698
SN - 0301-0511
VL - 45
SP - 183
EP - 215
JO - Biological Psychology
JF - Biological Psychology
IS - 1-3
ER -