Selective attention in visual perception and short-term memory; 'stimulus' set versus 'response' set.

Abstract

Schioldborg P. Selective attention in visual perception and short‐term memory; ‘stimulus’ set versus ‘response’ set. Scand. J. Psychol., 1972, 13, 172–177.—The identification time of letters or digits, as selected from a mixed array of both, was longer when selection was based on the class concept Letter or Digit (‘response’ set) than when based on the color or position of the items (‘stimulus’ set). The difference is assumed to reflect variations in the momentary attention level of the selected items, thereby affecting the amount of information processed per unit time. Retrieval of information from short‐term memory appeared to be independent of type of selection, suggesting that information processing in STM includes conceptual analysis.