Are processing limitations of visual attention and response selection subject to the same bottleneck in dual-tasks?

Abstract

Visual attention and response selection are processes that are limited by capacity. The present study focuses on whether visual attention is subject to the response selection bottleneck. This was investigated by conducting 2 dual-task experiments of the psychological refractory period (PRP) type. A visual conjunction search task was chosen as Task 2 in these experiments. Conjunction search requires the binding of the stimulus’ defining features. This binding is performed in a serial search process in displays of different amounts of stimuli until the presence or absence of the target is correctly indicated. In Experiment 1, the conjunction search was combined with a 2-choice tone discrimination Task 1, and in Experiment 2 with a 2-choice color discrimination Task 1. Detailed reaction time (RT) analyses revealed concurrent performance of visual search to both tone and color in Task 1’s response selection. In conclusion, visual attention is not subject to the response selection bottleneck.