Nicholls, Michael E.R., Roden, Sally, Thomas, Nicole A., Loetscher, Tobias, Spence, Charles J., and Forte, Jason D. (2014) Close to me: the effect of asymmetrical environments on spatial attention. Ergonomics, 57 (6). pp. 876-885.

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Abstract

Attention can be captured by distractors and can affect performance. To examine whether asymmetrical distractors, such as a wall, affect spatial attention, Experiment 1 required participants (n = 20) to determine the relative length of pre-bisected lines when a temporary barrier was placed close to the left or right sides of the display. Post-hoc tests showed that attention was drawn towards left, but not right, walls. Experiment 2 (n = 18) sought to increase this effect using a solid brick wall rather than a temporary barrier. Instead of strengthening the result, no effect of barrier was observed. A non-effect was also observed in Experiment 3 (n = 18) when participants moved a cursor to the line's middle. Finally, Experiment 4 (n = 26) showed that asymmetrical barriers had no effect on visual search. While the data showed some evidence that attention is distracted by walls placed to the left, this effect is weak and task-specific.

Item ID:	52453
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1366-5847
Keywords:	attention; monitor; distractor; cue; pseudoneglect
Funders:	Australian Research Council (ARC)
Projects and Grants:	ARC discovery grant #DP130100541
Date Deposited:	18 Jul 2018 04:18
FoR Codes:	17 PSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES > 1701 Psychology > 170101 Biological Psychology (Neuropsychology, Psychopharmacology, Physiological Psychology) @ 50% 17 PSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES > 1701 Psychology > 170112 Sensory Processes, Perception and Performance @ 50%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970117 Expanding Knowledge in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences @ 100%
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