The effect of set on categorization in visual search

Two experiments examine whether set for a categorial difference or set for a target category is necessary in order to obtain the category effect in visual search. Eliminating a set for categorial difference does not diminish the size of the effect. When subjects are prevented from developing a useful set for the target category, however, the category effect is eliminated.

[1]  M. Posner.  On the Relationship between Letter Names and Superordinate Categories , 1970 .

[2]  D. LaBerge.  Attention and the measurement of perceptual learning , 1973, Memory & cognition.

[3]  M. L. Kietzman,et al.  Perceptual masking: Peripheral vs central factors , 1971 .

[4]  G. Sperling,et al.  Extremely Rapid Visual Search: The Maximum Rate of Scanning Letters for the Presence of a Numeral , 1971, Science.

[5]  Raymond S. Nickerson,et al.  Can characters be classified directly as digits vs letters or must they be identified first? , 1973, Memory & cognition.

[6]  John Jonides,et al.  The benefit of categorization in visual search: Target location without identification , 1976 .

[7]  J Brand,et al.  Classification without Identification in Visual Search , 1971, The Quarterly journal of experimental psychology.

[8]  N. W. Ingling.  Categorization: A mechanism for rapid information processing. , 1972 .

[9]  Howard E. Egeth,et al.  Parallel processing of multielement displays , 1972 .

[10]  J. Jonides,et al.  The cost of categorization in visual search: Incomplete processing of targets and field items , 1976 .

[11]  J. Deutsch,et al.  Attention: Some theoretical considerations. , 1963 .

[12]  S. Sternberg.  High-Speed Scanning in Human Memory , 1966, Science.

[13]  Gordon H. Bower,et al.  Semantic category effects in visual word search , 1976 .

[14]  J. Jonides,et al.  A conceptual category effect in visual search: O as letter or as digit , 1972 .

[15]  D. Lawrence.  Two studies of visual search for word targets with controlled rates of presentation* , 1971 .

[16]  D. Norman.  Toward a theory of memory and attention. , 1968 .

[17]  A. O. Dick.  Processing time for naming and categorization of letters and numbers , 1971 .

[18]  J. A. Deutsch,et al.  On the category effect in visual search , 1977 .

[19]  C. Eriksen,et al.  Some factors determining efficiency of selective attention. , 1970 .