Gender Differences in Object and Spatial Inattentional Blindness Under Working Memory Load

Abstract

Inattentional blindness is observed when a visible object is not noticed because attention is focused elsewhere. It is an open question whether inattentional blindness is related to working memory load. In this study, subjects performed a demanding visual task under various levels of visual working memory load. In the last trail of the visual task, an unexpected object was presented in one of four shapes and in one of four locations. The subjects were asked if they have seen something unusual. If yes, they were asked to judge the shape and location of the unexpected object. It was found that working memory load induced inattentional blindness but this was observed only in men. Men generally noticed more unexpected objects than women. Generally, men judged the location of the unexpected object better than women at all working memory load levels. Women better judged the shape of the unexpected object at low working memory load. In women, shape and location identification worked in parallel while in men they differed. This points to the existence of two types of attention – spatial attention and object attention – which may work differently in men and women.