Abstract
Inhibition of return (IOR) is the effect of slower responses to validly than invalidly cued targets. The discovery of IOR raised controversy as to whether it has two “flavors”, i.e., attentional/perceptual and motoric, or whether it is a homogeneous visual-motor phenomenon that should be understood in terms of the preparation of different effectors (mainly eye movement). Since manipulation of fixation offset (0 and 200 ms gap) is believed to affect the latency of saccades, we measured its influence on saccadic and manual IOR with a simple keypress response when eye movements were forbidden. In the two experiments which we carried out, the fixation offset decreased IOR in both the saccadic and the manual conditions. The results suggest the limitations of the attentional hypothesis, which assumes that manual IOR is independent of the motoric component; they are also in line with the tenets of the oculomotor hypothesis of IOR.
Highlights
When the time interval (SOA) between a pair of stimuli is longer than approximately 300 ms, reaction times to targets presented at previously stimulated locations are longer than to targets presented at new locations
We found an interaction between the 0 ms gap effect and manual inhibition of return (IOR)
In experiment 1, we showed that the 0 ms gap affects saccadic IOR; this is consistent with the previous studies (Hunt and Kingstone 2003; Souto and Kerzel 2009)
Summary
When the time interval (SOA) between a pair of stimuli is longer than approximately 300 ms, reaction times to targets presented at previously stimulated locations are longer than to targets presented at new locations. This effect is referred to as inhibition of return (IOR) and is understood as a process of attentional selection that is measured in cuing tasks by a response to an on-screen target that was preceded by a cue. The saccadic condition demands a saccade to the target location (Posner et al 1985; Klein and MacInnes 1999); the manual condition demands a keypress response when the target appears on the screen, but the eyes have to be fixated on the fixation point (Berlucchi et al 1981; Posner and Cohen 1984).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
