A neurodynamic model of the attentional blink

Abstract

A brain-based neural model of attention is used to simulate results for the ‘attentional blink’, observed when a subject is exposed to a rapid stream of stimuli and required to monitor for two successive targets in the stream. The ‘blink’ occurs when the time between the first and second targets is 200–500 ms, when there is reduced accuracy for report of the second target. The model gives a qualitative explanation of the phenomenon, especially of how attention is bolstered, during the processing to report of a given stimulus, in order to defend reportable information from attack by distracters.