Abstract
We investigated how attention to a visual feature modulates representations of other features. The feature-similarity gain model predicts a graded modulation, whereas an alternative model asserts an inhibitory surround in feature space. Although evidence for both types of modulations can be found, a consensus has not emerged in the literature. Here, we aimed to reconcile these different views by systematically measuring how attention modulates color perception. Based on previous literature, we also predicted that color categories would impact attentional modulation. Our results showed that both surround suppression and feature-similarity gain modulate perception of colors but they operate on different similarity scales. Furthermore, the region of the suppressive surround coincided with the color category boundary, suggesting a categorical sharpening effect. We implemented a neural population coding model to explain the observed behavioral effects, which revealed a hitherto unknown connection between neural tuning shift and surround suppression.
Highlights
When we encounter a crowded scene, we rely on visual attention to select what is most task-relevant and minimize distraction from inconsequential input
In the domain of spatial attention, early studies suggested a monotonic profile of selection[3], such that attentional modulation was strongest at the attended location and decreased monotonically with the distance from the attended location
The finding of a non-monotonic profile in spatial attention naturally led to the question of whether there is a similar pattern of surround suppression in feature-based attention (FBA)
Summary
When we encounter a crowded scene, we rely on visual attention to select what is most task-relevant and minimize distraction from inconsequential input. More recent studies of spatial attention that sampled locations more finely have revealed a non-monotonic profile of attention comprised of “surround suppression”, such that nearby locations are more suppressed than further locations This local suppression produces a “Mexican hat” attentional profile, which is thought to allow better distinction between closely located targets and distractors[6,7,8,9,10,11]. A third possibility is a hybrid model of surround suppression at nearby features and feature-similarity gain at further features This would predict a Mexican hat profile at the vicinity of the attended feature and a further decrease outside the suppressive zone (Fig. 1c)
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