Between-dimension flanker effects: A clarification with encouraging implications

Abstract

Models of selective and divided attention have evolved to be remarkably similar (e.g., Cohen & Shoup 997; Mordkoff & Yantis, 1993). One remaining difference between these models is the inclusion of all-or-none gates within a recent model of selective attention; the existence of these gates is supported by the absence of a between-dimension flanker effect. However, the existence of these gates is also inconsistent with a recent model of divided attention. In the present experiment, the evidence in favor of all-or-none gates was explored, with the following result: When the task involves colors and letters as the stimuli, and when display features are presented at equal rates, no evidence of these gates is obserted. Although other issues remain to be resolved, these findings bode well for the general goal of a unified model of divided and selective attention.