====== Visual search for orientation among heterogeneous distractors: Experimental results and implications for signal detection theory models of search ======
==== Ruth Rosenholtz ====
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===== Abstract =====
Three experiments tested a signal-detection theory (SDT) model of visual search (e.g. as described in J. Palmer, C. T. Ames, & D. T. Lindsey, 1993).  In Experiment 1, participants searched for a 0° line among distractors at (a) 30°; (b) 1/3 at 30°, 2/3 at 50°; ( c) 1/3 at 30°, 50°, and 70°; (d) 1/3 at 30°, 2/3 at 70°.  The SDT model predicts improved performance in the more heterogeneous conditions, as some distractors are more discriminable from the target.  In contrast, in Experiment 1, human performance degraded in the more heterogeneous conditions ( c) and (d).  In Experiment 2, sparser displays improved the performance of the SDT model.  In Experiment 3, search for θ° among homogeneous θ + 20° distractors was compared with search for θ° among θ ± 20° distractors.  Performance in the latter condition was often worse, relative to performance in the homogeneous condition, than predicted by the SDT model; however, this depended greatly on the identity of the target.

===== Information =====

---- dataentry pubitem ----
title        : Visual search for orientation among heterogeneous distractors: Experimental results and implications for signal detection theory models of search
authors      : R. Rosenholtz
citation     : Journal of Experimental Psychology, 27(4), 985-999
shortcite    : J. of Experimental Psychology
year         : 2001
created_dt   : 2001-01-01
summary_page : publications:searchjexp01
keyword_tags : rosenholtz
www_url      :
pdf_url      :  http://web.mit.edu/rruth/www/Papers/orientation%20search.pdf
pageid       : searchjexp01
type         : publication
---