Typicality modulates the visual awareness of objects

Abstract

In the present study, we assessed whether typicality can influence the visual awareness of objects. Participants tracked moving images of objects and counted how often members of one category bounced off the edges of the display. On the last trial, an unexpected object moved across the display. In our first two experiments, this object could belong to the same category as the tracked or untracked objects. While participants were more likely to notice atypical members of the untracked category, this pattern of results reversed when participants tracked atypical objects. In our last two experiments, the unexpected object could belong to the same category as the tracked objects or a new category of objects. In this case, participants were more likely to notice typical members of both the tracked category and the new category. Together, these findings suggest that typicality can modulate the visual awareness of objects.