The Role of Local Conjunction in the Integration Process of Shape and Color
Hiromi Morita and Masahiko Morita
Abstract:
It is an open question how simple features are integrated in the
attention spotlight. In this paper, we examined two opposing models
for the integration process of shape and color. One is a local
conjunction model in which simple features of shape and color are
combined directly. The other is a whole conjunction model in which
simple features of shape are integrated into the whole shape and then
it is combined with color. In Experiment 1, we measured the time
required to search for a target defined by a conjunction of shape and
color for five subjects with changing coloring the figures. The slope
of the search function was gentler when corners of figures were
colored (p < 0.01). In Experiment 2, we measured the time
required to integrate shape and color of figures presented in rapid
serial visual presentation (RSVP) for five subjects. The presentation
time required to answer the correct combination was shorter when
corners were colored (p < 0.01). These results support the
local conjunction model.
Keywords:
feature integration, visual search, rapid serial visual presentation,
attention.