Abstract
Recent studies have revealed an action effect, in which a simple action towards a prime stimulus biases attention in a subsequent visual search in favor of objects that match the prime. However, to date the majority of research on the phenomenon has studied search elements that are exact matches to the prime, and that vary only on the dimension of color, making it unclear how general the phenomenon is. Here, across a series of experiments, we show that action can also prioritize objects that match the shape of the prime. Additionally, action can prioritize attention to objects that match only one of either the color or the shape of the prime, suggesting that action enhances individual visual features present in the acted-on objects. The pattern of results suggests that the effect may be stronger for color matches – prioritization for shape only occurred when attention was not drawn to the color of the prime, whereas prioritization for color occurred regardless. Taken together, the results reveal that a prior action can exert a strong influence on subsequent attention towards features of the acted-on object.
Highlights
The ongoing interactions between action and perception play a central role in the control of behavior
Addressing the questions we have identified about the action effect may inform, and be informed by, an ongoing debate regarding the existence of exogenous featurebased attention
We explored the action effect: the influence of a simple action on the subsequent allocation of attention toward features of the acted-on object
Summary
The ongoing interactions between action and perception play a central role in the control of behavior. People often adopt an action-centered perceptual representation when they are interacting with objects (Bloesch, Davoli, & Abrams, 2013; Tipper, 1992). If people can interact with an object through a University, St. Louis, MO, USA reach-extending tool they perceive that object as closer – presumably because their capabilities to interact with the object have changed (e.g., Abrams & Weidler, 2015; Suh & Abrams, 2018a; Witt, Proffitt, & Epstein, 2005). Even the position of an individual’s hands relative to nearby objects can influence perception (e.g., Abrams, Davoli, Du, Knapp, & Paull, 2008; Abrams & Weidler, 2014; Thomas, 2015)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
