Habituation (of attentional capture) is not what you think it is.

Abstract

Habituation represents a well-established form of learning in various neuroscience domains. However, cognitive psychologists working in the field of visual attention have largely overlooked this phenomenon. In this regard, I would like to argue that the reduction in attentional capture observed with repetitive salient distractors, and specifically abrupt visual onsets, could be attributed to habituation. Three classic models of habituation, independently devised by Sokolov, Wagner, and by Thompson, will be presented and discussed in relation to the capture of attention. Of particular interest is the fact that Sokolov's model is governed by a prediction-error minimization principle, where a stimulus attracts attention to the extent that it violates the expected sensory input, which is anticipated on the basis of the previous history of stimulation. Hence, at least in humans, habituation is governed by high-order cognitive processes, and should not be confounded with peripheral sensory adaptation or fatigue. Furthermore, the cognitive nature of habituation is also attested by the fact that visual distractor filtering is context-specific. In conclusion, as already suggested by others, I believe that researchers working in the field of attention should give more consideration to the notion of habituation, especially with regard to the control of stimulus-driven capture. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).