Danger is worse when it moves: Neural and behavioral indices of enhanced attentional capture by dynamic threatening stimuli

Abstract

Both dynamic non-emotional stimuli (moving dots or digits) and danger-related static stimuli have previously shown to capture attention. This study explored whether the combination of the two factors (i.e., threatening moving stimuli), frequent in natural situations, enhances attentional capture. To this end, static and moving distractors containing emotionally negative and non-negative information were presented to 30 volunteers while they were engaged in a digit categorization task. Behavioral responses and event-related potentials (ERPs) were analyzed. Behavioral and electrophysiological data were convergent: moving negative distractors produced the longest reaction times in the digit categorization task, and elicited the highest amplitudes in the P1 component of the ERPs (peaking at 112ms), an electrophysiological signal of attentional capture. These results suggest that motion provides additional salience to threatening stimuli that facilitates attentional capture.