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Date of Award
5-2025
Document Type
Restricted Thesis: Campus only access
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Arryn Robbins
Abstract
Visual search relies on attentional templates—the representations of target features that guide attention. While previous research has examined how templates enhance search efficiency, little is known about their temporal dynamics: how quickly they form, how they are acquired through experience, and how flexibly they are applied. This study investigated the time course of template acquisition and application in categorical search focused on repeated color as a guiding feature. In Experiment 1, participants completed six blocks of a search task where targets consistently appeared in a specific color. Eye-tracking data revealed that the number of distractor fixations decreased over blocks, while the probability of first fixating on the target increased, demonstrating rapid template acquisition for attentional guidance. Experiment 2a introduced color lures in target-absent trials, showing that newly learned templates could bias attention toward distractors, though this effect extremely diminished with extended exposure. Experiment 2b found that participants adapted by prioritizing category cues over color mismatch conditions, supporting the task-adaptivity of attentional guidance. Results suggest that templates form quickly, are strengthened through repetition, and can be dynamically adjusted based on task demands. However, their initial reliance on salient features (e.g., color) may lead to temporary distraction before adaptive reweighting occurs. These findings highlight the interplay between short-term learning and long-term template optimization in visual search. Future research should explore individual differences, and real-world applications to further elucidate these mechanisms.
Recommended Citation
Wang, Yining, "The Time Course of Template Acquisition and Application in Categorical Search" (2025). Honors Theses. 1872.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/1872
