Abstract
Since our environment typically contains more information than can be processed at any one time due to the limited capacity of our visual system, we are bound to differentiate between relevant and irrelevant information. This process, termed attentional selection, is usually categorized into bottom-up and top-down processes. However, recent research suggests reward might also be an important factor in guiding attention. Monetary reward can bias attentional selection in favor of task-relevant targets and reduce the efficiency of visual search when a reward-associated, but task-irrelevant distractor is present. This study is the first to investigate reward-related target and distractor processing in an additional singleton task using neurophysiological measures and source space analysis. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that source space analysis would find enhanced neural activity in regions of the value-based attention network, such as the visual cortex and the anterior cingulate. Additionally, we went further and explored the time courses of the underlying attentional mechanisms. Our neurophysiological results showed that rewarding distractors led to a stronger attentional capture. In line with this, we found that reward-associated distractors (compared with reward-associated targets) enhanced activation in frontal regions, indicating the involvement of top-down control processes. As hypothesized, source space analysis demonstrated that reward-related targets and reward-related distractors elicited activation in regions of the value-based attention network. However, these activations showed time-dependent differences, indicating that the neural mechanisms underlying reward biasing might be different for task-relevant and task-irrelevant stimuli.
Highlights
Visual attention controls the way we search for information from the environment
By introducing a target-reward group, we were able to examine how reward magnitude modulated attentional selection when task-relevant targets were associated with reward compared to when task-irrelevant distractors were associated with reward
This study showed for the first time the differing timelines of attentional selection processes in the presence of reward-related targets and distractors in an Additional Singleton Task
Summary
While the target was a light grey line-element, tilted 45° to the right or to the left, the distractor was a blue (RGB: 82, 124, 255) or red (RGB: 232, 34, 34) line-element, randomly chosen to be horizontal or vertical. For one half of the participants (n = 20) reward was tied to the color of the distractor (red or blue, distractor reward group, DR) and for the other half (n = 20) reward was associated to the direction of the target (left or right, target reward group, TR). Participants were rewarded depending on the accuracy of their response, but the magnitude of their reward (high or low) was dependent on distractor color (DR) or target orientation (TR). The reward condition (high or low) was chosen randomly (in the DR group)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
