Contingent Attention Research Articles

Susceptibility to Attentional Capture by Target-Matching Distractors Predicts High Visual Working Memory Capacity.

Recent event-related potential (ERP) studies showed that individuals with low visual working memory (VWM) capacity are more susceptible to salience-driven attentional capture than high-capacity individuals are, with the latter being able to proactively suppress salient but irrelevant distractors. However, it remains unclear whether and how contingent attentional capture by distractors that possess a task-relevant (target) feature is related to VWM capacity. Here, we adopted a central focused-attention task that contained peripheral target-matching distractors to investigate this issue (N = 51 adults). Surprisingly, we revealed that target-matching distractors elicited both a larger N2-posterior-contralateral (N2pc) and a larger post-N2pc distractor positivity (PD) component in high-capacity individuals than in low-capacity ones, meaning that high-capacity individuals are less able to ignore such distractors initially, though they could call on a stronger reactive suppression mechanism afterward. These findings illustrate that high-capacity individuals are more (rather than less or equally) susceptible to contingent attention capture compared with low-capacity ones.

Using a group game increases preschoolers' step count.

Children should engage in at least 60 min of physical activity daily to develop or maintain healthy habits (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021a). Previous research suggests that contingent attention is a powerful tool for increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity. In this study, the researchers examined the effects of a group game on steps per minute at recess in an inclusive classroom with preschoolers. The researcher taught the game called the T-Rex game in which the game rules (chasing students who were moving) involved contingencies for natural attention to follow moderate to vigorous physical activity. The results showed a functional relation between step count and the group game in which students engaged in higher step counts when the group game was in place than during baseline. These findings extend other work by demonstrating that contingent attention embedded in group games can increase step count.

Online Contingent Attention Training (OCAT): transfer effects to cognitive biases, rumination, and anxiety symptoms from two proof-of-principle studies

The aim of the present research was to develop and test the efficacy of a novel online contingent attention training (i.e., OCAT) to modify attention and interpretation biases, improve emotion regulation, and reduce emotional symptom levels in the face of major stressors. Two proof-of-principle studies were carried out. In study 1, 64 undergraduates who were about to start a major stressful period (i.e., final exams) were randomized to undergo 10 days of active OCAT or a sham-control training. Emotion regulation (habitual use of rumination and reappraisal) and symptom levels (depression and anxiety) were assessed before and after the intervention. In study 2, the same 2 × 2 mixed design was used with 58 individuals from the general population undergoing a major stressful situation (the lockdown period at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020). In both studies, the OCAT group showed significant improvements on attention towards negative information and interpretation biases in comparison to the sham-control group. Additionally, changes in cognitive biases transferred to reductions of participants’ use of rumination and anxiety symptom levels. These results show preliminary evidence regarding the efficacy of the OCAT to target attention and interpretation biases as well as to improve emotion regulation processes and to buffer against the effects of major stressors.

Using Using Brief Experimental Analysis to Increase Food Consumption for an Adult with an Eating Disorder: A Case Study

The present study investigated the utility of brief experimental analysis applied to reinforcer assessments in providing a data-based course of treatment targeting food consumption for an adult with Anorexia. Results of two brief experimental analyses indicated the subject consumed more grams of food during the contingent positive attention condition when compared to three other conditions. A brief extended analysis based on the results of the experimental analyses found that positive attention increased the subject’s food consumption during lunch and dinner. Results provide preliminary evidence for using brief experimental analyses for identifying contingent relationships between food consumption and maintaining reinforcers. This might be helpful for those developing prescriptive treatments to increase food consumption of adults with Anorexia.

Functional analysis and treatment of self-injurious feather plucking in a black vulture (Coragyps atratus).

The etiology and maintenance of self-injurious feather plucking (FP) have been attributed to biological and environmental processes, yet a definitive solution has not been found. The current study investigated the application of a functional analysis and function-based treatment to reduce the FP of a black vulture (Coragyps atratus). FP was found to be maintained by positive reinforcement in the form of contingent attention. A treatment consisting of noncontingent reinforcement decreased FP, and levels of FP remained low during schedule thinning. The current study further demonstrates the validity of function-based assessment and treatment with captive animals.

A novel process-based approach to improve resilience: Effects of computerized mouse-based (gaze)contingent attention training (MCAT) on reappraisal and rumination

Stress dysregulation is a transdiagnostic marker of emotional disorders, related to biases in attention toward negative information. We adapted a computerized process-based training targeting these attention mechanisms through mouse-based contingency responses and examined its effects on reappraisal and rumination. Forty-one participants were randomly assigned to either a control or an active training condition of mouse-based contingent attention training (MCAT). Participants in the active condition were instructed to allocate attention toward positive words to generate positive interpretations, by using attention regulation while receiving contingent feedback on their attention to emotional words. Participants in the control condition freely generated interpretations without receiving contingent feedback. Transfer to reappraisal and state rumination was evaluated by administering an emotion regulation paradigm before and after the training. Mouse-based attention estimations showed a high degree of congruency with real eye/gaze-based attention estimations, as measured with eye-tracking performed in parallel. Furthermore, active MCAT resulted in several beneficial effects, including: 1) a higher attention toward positive over negative information; 2) an improved reappraisal ability to down-regulate negative emotions, and 3) a larger state rumination reduction in comparison to the control group. Our findings supports MCAT as a promising way to monitor and train attention, being an innovative instrument for online interventions aimed to improve stress regulation and resilience.

Eye-gaze contingent attention training (ECAT): Examining the causal role of attention regulation in reappraisal and rumination

This study used a novel eye-gaze contingent attention training (ECAT) to test the prediction that attention regulation is involved in reappraisal and rumination. Sixty-six undergraduates were randomly assigned to either the control or the active training condition of the ECAT. Active ECAT comprised training in allocating attention toward positive words to efficiently create positive interpretations while receiving gaze-contingent feedback. Participants in the control condition freely generated interpretations without receiving gaze-contingent feedback. Active ECAT resulted in: 1) more sustained attention on positive information, in turn predicting greater reappraisal success to down-regulate negative emotions, and 2) larger reductions in state rumination after viewing negative scenes. Our results highlight the importance of considering attention mechanisms in understanding (and treating impaired) emotion regulation processes. These findings provide an important step towards the use of personalized attention training to build resources of resilience.

Autism, Attention, and Alpha Oscillations: An Electrophysiological Study of Attentional Capture

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with deficits in adaptively orienting attention to behaviorally relevant information. Neural oscillatory activity plays a key role in brain function and provides a high-resolution temporal marker of attention dynamics. Alpha-band (8–12 Hz) activity is associated with both selecting task-relevant stimuli and filtering task-irrelevant information. MethodsThe present study used electroencephalography to examine alpha-band oscillatory activity associated with attentional capture in 19 children with ASD and 21 age- and IQ-matched typically developing children. Participants completed a rapid serial visual presentation paradigm designed to investigate responses to behaviorally relevant targets and contingent attention capture by task-irrelevant distractors, which either did or did not share a behaviorally relevant feature. Participants also completed 6 minutes of eyes-open resting electroencephalography. ResultsIn contrast to their typically developing peers, children with ASD did not evidence posterior alpha desynchronization to behaviorally relevant targets. Additionally, reduced target-related desynchronization and poorer target detection were associated with increased ASD symptomatology. Typically developing children also showed behavioral and electrophysiological evidence of contingent attention capture, whereas children with ASD showed no behavioral facilitation or alpha desynchronization to distractors that shared a task-relevant feature. Lastly, children with ASD had significantly decreased resting alpha power, and for all participants increased resting alpha levels were associated with greater task-related alpha desynchronization. ConclusionsThese results suggest that in ASD underresponsivity and impairments in orienting to salient events within their environment are reflected by atypical electroencephalography oscillatory neurodynamics, which may signify atypical arousal levels and/or an excitatory/inhibitory imbalance.

Proportional Context of Distracters alters Top-Down Sets during Contingent Attention Capture

Proportional Context of Distracters alters Top-Down Sets during Contingent Attention Capture

Functional analysis of maladaptive behaviors: Rule as a transitive conditioned motivating operation

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of a staff-delivered rule on the occurrence of challenging behavior (stereotypic touching) of an adult with severe intellectual disabilities. Four experimental functional analysis conditions were developed: (a) attention, (b) rule+attention, (c) rule only, and (d) control. Results showed that the percentage of intervals in which stereotypic touching responses (STR) occurred was greater within the experimental condition where a rule statement was embedded with contingent attention. Results are discussed in light of the plasticity of functional analysis technology to allow for stimulus variation within the typical social attention condition, and the suggestion that the rule statement, in this study, may function as a Transitive Conditioned Establishing Operation (CEO-T), asserting that the provision of attention is more valued in the presence of the stated rule.

Under-reactive but easily distracted: An fMRI investigation of attentional capture in autism spectrum disorder

For individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), salient behaviorally-relevant information often fails to capture attention, while subtle behaviorally-irrelevant details commonly induce a state of distraction. The present study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neurocognitive networks underlying attentional capture in sixteen high-functioning children and adolescents with ASD and twenty-one typically developing (TD) individuals. Participants completed a rapid serial visual presentation paradigm designed to investigate activation of attentional networks to behaviorally-relevant targets and contingent attention capture by task-irrelevant distractors. In individuals with ASD, target stimuli failed to trigger bottom-up activation of the ventral attentional network and the cerebellum. Additionally, the ASD group showed no differences in behavior or occipital activation associated with contingent attentional capture. Rather, results suggest that to-be-ignored distractors that shared either task-relevant or irrelevant features captured attention in ASD. Results indicate that individuals with ASD may be under-reactive to behaviorally-relevant stimuli, unable to filter irrelevant information, and that both top-down and bottom-up attention networks function atypically in ASD. Lastly, deficits in target-related processing were associated with autism symptomatology, providing further support for the hypothesis that non-social attentional processes and their neurofunctional underpinnings may play a significant role in the development of sociocommunicative impairments in ASD.

Semantic Priming Produces Contingent Attentional Capture by Conceptual Content

There is substantial evidence that the capture of spatial attention by salient, irrelevant stimuli is subject to modulation by top-down task set. To accommodate such findings, the theory of Contingent Attention Capture (CAC) proposes that the attention allocation system is "configurable" such that a given stimulus will only capture attention if it is consistent with current top-down "attentional control settings" related to behavioral goals. Most of the previous research on CAC has focused on capture by salient, low level properties, implying that attentional control settings are limited to working memory templates for simple features such as color, orientation, motion, singleton-ness, etc. A recent study, however, found that relatively high-level, categorical content of an image can capture attention if the task requires monitoring for exemplars from that category (Wyble, Folk, & Potter, 2013). This suggests that the activation of categorical representations in semantic memory can also serve as top-down attentional control settings. The present study tested whether these effects are truly the result of semantic memory activation by testing whether images that are semantically related to the task-relevant category also capture attention. Subjects monitored a central RSVP stream for any exemplar (e.g., a ferris wheel) from a pre-specified semantic category (e.g., amusement park rides). Two frames prior to the target image, irrelevant distractor images appeared above and below the stream, one of which could be another exemplar from the relevant category (e.g., bumper cars), an image of a related item (e.g., cotton candy), or an image of an unrelated item (e.g., a hammer). Distractors consisting of exemplar and semantically related images both produced a decrement in target report relative to semantically unrelated distractors, suggesting that the attention allocation system can be configured not only through templates in working memory, but also through the activation and priming of long-term semantic memory representations. Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2014

Comparison of high and low preferred topographies of contingent attention during discrete trial training

We used the paired-stimulus (PS) and multiple-stimulus without replacement (MSWO) preference assessment procedures to identify high and low preferred topographies of attention for two children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Both preference assessment formats identified the same high and low preferred forms of attention. A reinforcer assessment implemented during discrete trial training demonstrated increased correct responding and reduced challenging behavior when the high preferred form of attention was the contingent reinforcer for both participants. These results replicate previous research demonstrating that children with ASD may have preferences for specific forms of social interaction and that highly preferred forms of attention may function as more potent reinforcers than less preferred forms. This study extends previous research by demonstrating correspondence between the MSWO and PS formats when applied to attention. Implications for practitioners and directions for future research are discussed.

Behavioral Family Therapy for Chinese Preschoolers with Disruptive Behavior: A Pilot Study

A behavioral family therapy (BFT) protocol was implemented with 19 2- to 7-year-olds and their families in Shanghai, China to reduce disruptive behavior. The protocol was based on Helping the Noncompliant Child, condensed into five sessions, and reframed as an individual parenting class to engage Chinese families. Alternative room timeout backup procedures were offered to families concerned about the standard procedures. Pre- and post-treatment comparisons indicated that misbehavior on the Aggressive Behavior Subscale of the Child Behavior Checklist was significantly reduced. At post-treatment primary caregivers increased positive behaviors and decreased intrusive behaviors during a Free Play Analog with their child. Child compliance increased, as well as caregiver contingent attention for child compliance during a Clean-up Task Analog. In the home setting, children showed a significant reduction in the ratio of room timeout backups to chair timeouts. Chinese caregivers were satisfied with the BFT protocol. Although qualified by several specific limitations, the results suggested that a condensed and reframed BFT is feasible in China and potentially an effective and socially valid treatment for disruptive behavior among Chinese preschoolers.

Evaluating Competing Reinforcement Contingencies on Off-Task Behavior in a Preschooler with Intellectual Disability: A Data-Based Case Study

Off-task behaviors are often maintained by escape from instructional activities. However, attention is typically inseparable from escape-related consequences imposed by teachers. Testing consequent conditions separately in a typical functional analysis in these instances could lead to inconclusive results. Therefore, it may be important to manipulate both positive and negative reinforcement contingencies simultaneously to parse out possible attention versus escape functions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an escape condition combined with two contingent attention conditions for off-task behavior in a 4-year-old preschool girl. Data from the escape and the escape + directives conditions did not conclusively demonstrate attention was a maintaining variable for off-task behavior. However, there was a differentiated effect of providing escape + differential attention + engagement stimuli when compared to the escape + physical proximity during the academic demand. Thus, academic demand may have served as a setting event for off-task behavior, but the behavior occurred more frequently when escape + physical proximity was provided during the activity. Contrastingly, adding escape + differential attention + engagement stimuli during the academic demand appeared to compete with the value of escape for off-task behavior. Implications for assessing multiple functions of problem behavior and designing effective treatment packages by practitioners are discussed.

Poster #137 EFFECTS OF HIGH AND LOW-FREQUENCY RTMS ON P50: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with deficits in adaptively orienting attention to behaviorally relevant information. Neural oscillatory activity plays a key role in brain function and provides a high-resolution temporal marker of attention dynamics. Alpha-band (8–12 Hz) activity is associated with both selecting task-relevant stimuli and filtering task-irrelevant information.The present study used electroencephalography to examine alpha-band oscillatory activity associated with attentional capture in 19 children with ASD and 21 age- and IQ-matched typically developing children. Participants completed a rapid serial visual presentation paradigm designed to investigate responses to behaviorally relevant targets and contingent attention capture by task-irrelevant distractors, which either did or did not share a behaviorally relevant feature. Participants also completed 6 minutes of eyes-open resting electroencephalography.In contrast to their typically developing peers, children with ASD did not evidence posterior alpha desynchronization to behaviorally relevant targets. Additionally, reduced target-related desynchronization and poorer target detection were associated with increased ASD symptomatology. Typically developing children also showed behavioral and electrophysiological evidence of contingent attention capture, whereas children with ASD showed no behavioral facilitation or alpha desynchronization to distractors that shared a task-relevant feature. Lastly, children with ASD had significantly decreased resting alpha power, and for all participants increased resting alpha levels were associated with greater task-related alpha desynchronization.These results suggest that in ASD underresponsivity and impairments in orienting to salient events within their environment are reflected by atypical electroencephalography oscillatory neurodynamics, which may signify atypical arousal levels and/or an excitatory/inhibitory imbalance.

Poster #138 SYMPTOMATIC REMISSION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA: RELATION OF COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS AND CLINICAL FEATURES

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with deficits in adaptively orienting attention to behaviorally relevant information. Neural oscillatory activity plays a key role in brain function and provides a high-resolution temporal marker of attention dynamics. Alpha-band (8–12 Hz) activity is associated with both selecting task-relevant stimuli and filtering task-irrelevant information.The present study used electroencephalography to examine alpha-band oscillatory activity associated with attentional capture in 19 children with ASD and 21 age- and IQ-matched typically developing children. Participants completed a rapid serial visual presentation paradigm designed to investigate responses to behaviorally relevant targets and contingent attention capture by task-irrelevant distractors, which either did or did not share a behaviorally relevant feature. Participants also completed 6 minutes of eyes-open resting electroencephalography.In contrast to their typically developing peers, children with ASD did not evidence posterior alpha desynchronization to behaviorally relevant targets. Additionally, reduced target-related desynchronization and poorer target detection were associated with increased ASD symptomatology. Typically developing children also showed behavioral and electrophysiological evidence of contingent attention capture, whereas children with ASD showed no behavioral facilitation or alpha desynchronization to distractors that shared a task-relevant feature. Lastly, children with ASD had significantly decreased resting alpha power, and for all participants increased resting alpha levels were associated with greater task-related alpha desynchronization.These results suggest that in ASD underresponsivity and impairments in orienting to salient events within their environment are reflected by atypical electroencephalography oscillatory neurodynamics, which may signify atypical arousal levels and/or an excitatory/inhibitory imbalance.

The role of somatic threat feature detectors in the attentional bias toward pain: Effects of spatial attention

Our previous work suggests that somatic threat feature detectors indexed by a pain-evoked midlatency negative scalp potential play an important role in the attentional bias toward pain. In these studies the somatic threat feature detectors facilitated the shift in attention to a somatic threat when attention was focused on another stimulus modality but not when it was focused on another spatial location. This experiment used the Posner cuing paradigm to investigate possible explanations for this discrepancy. The results demonstrate that the different somatic threat effects observed in previous modal and spatial cuing studies are not due to attentional set. Rather, this discrepancy may be related to differences in contingent attention capture. This study also verifies earlier findings suggesting that some of the pain-related P2 component generators are involved in stimulus-driven shifts in spatial attention toward task-relevant stimuli.

Functional analysis and treatment of self-injurious behaviour in a young child with traumatic brain injury

Primary objective: There has been no research evaluating the utility of functional analysis (FA) in identifying effective interventions for severe problem behaviour in very young children with traumatic brain injury (TBI). It was hypothesized that FA technology would be applicable for this population and facilitate effective intervention development.Research design: A within-subject A-B-A reversal design was used to evaluate a functional communication training (FCT) intervention. This design allows for a demonstration of experimental control of the intervention over behaviour in single-case research.Methods and procedure: The authors conducted an FA of self-injurious behaviour (SIB) in an 18-month old boy with TBI. Results of the FA suggested that SIB was maintained, at least in part, by contingent maternal attention. An FCT intervention was used to teach a request for attention using an alternative communication device.Main outcomes and results: The FCT intervention reduced SIB to near zero and resulted in consistent use of an alternative communication device, functionally replacing SIB with desirable behaviour. The child's mother was coached to conduct all treatment sessions and reported satisfaction with the process.Conclusion: Analysis of behavioural function may play an important role in developing effective interventions for very young TBI patients with behaviour problems.

ABOLISHING AND ESTABLISHING OPERATION ANALYSES OF SOCIAL ATTENTION AS POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT FOR PROBLEM BEHAVIOR

Three participants whose problem behavior was maintained by contingent attention were exposed to 45-min presessions in which attention was withheld, provided on a fixed-time (FT) 15-s schedule, or provided on an FT 120-s schedule. Following each presession, participants were then tested in a 15-min session similar to the social attention condition of an analogue functional analysis. The results showed establishing operation conditions increased problem behavior during tests and that abolishing operation conditions decreased problem behavior during tests.