Intra- and cross-dimensional visual search for single-feature targets

Abstract

Cross-dimensional visual search for single-feature targets that differed from the distractors along two dimensions (color and orientation) was compared with intradimensional search for targets that differed from the distractors along a single dimension (either orientation or color). The design of the first three experiments differed from those of previous studies in that participants were required to respond differently to each of the targets. Experiments 1-3 were similar expect that in Expirement 1, the distractors were homogeneous; in Experiment 2, two types of distractors were used in equal proportions; and in Experiments 3, two types of distractors were used but one of the distractors was a singleton. The findings, contrary to those of previous studies, revealed that cross-dimensional search is at least as efficient and for some targets even more efficient than intradimensional search. The results suggest that selection model by Cohen and Shoup (1997).