Development of phasic attention in children: Temporal analysis of alert during a detection task

Abstract

This paper focuses on the maturation of the temporal aspect of phasic attention. 96 children (age range from 6 to 10 years) performed a detection task either alone or preceded by a visual alert signal. The Stimulus Onset Asynchrony (SOA) between the alert and the visual target was manipulated (100, 450 and 800 ms). Analysis of the mean RT (taking into account the SOA) and the response distribution (delta plot) converged on two points: (1) 6-year-old children experienced difficulties using the alert signal, and (2) alertness capacities emerged around the age of 7-8 years associated with a decrease of the delay beyond which the alert signal became efficient with increasing age. Distributional analysis distinguished erroneous or impulsive responses in reaction to the alert signal from those for which the alert was used correctly to prepare detection of the target.