Context influences holistic processing of nonface objects in the composite task.

Full Abstract

We explored whether holistic-like effects can be observed for nonface objects in novices as a result of the task context. We measured contextually induced congruency effects for novel objects (Greebles) in a sequential matching selective attention task (composite task). When format at study was blocked, congruency effects were observed for study-misaligned, but not study-aligned, conditions (Experiment 1). However, congruency effects were observed in all conditions when study formats were randomized (Experiment 2), revealing that the presence of certain trial types (study-misaligned) in an experiment can induce congruency effects. In a dual task, a congruency effect for Greebles was induced in trials in which a face was first encoded, but only when it was aligned (Experiment 3). Thus, congruency effects can be induced by context that operates at the scale of the entire experiment or within a single trial. Implications for using the composite task to measure holistic processing are discussed.

Author information

Author/s: Richler, Jennifer J (JJ); Bukach, Cindy M (CM); Gauthier, Isabel (I);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Wilson Hall, Nashville, TN 37203, USA. jennifer.j.richler(-atsign-)vanderbilt.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: Attention, perception & psychophysics (Atten Percept Psychophys), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Apr; vol 71 (issue 3) : pp 530-40

Dates: Created 2009/03/23; Completed 2009/05/11;

PMID: 19304644, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 5/11/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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