420
Views
76
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Evidence for a systematic component within scan paths in visual search

&
Pages 704-715 | Published online: 17 Feb 2007
 

Abstract

We present evidence that scan paths in visual search can include a systematic component. The task for subjects in the experiment was to search for a target that was either present or absent. With regular grid-like displays, participants generated more horizontal saccades than vertical saccades. Disruption of the grid structure in the display modulated but did not eliminate the systematic component. This is consistent with the scan path being partly determined by a cognitive strategy. We discuss the implications of this finding for studies that use refixation to investigate memory mechanisms in visual search.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from the EPSRC UK (grant no: GR/M37295). We would like to thank Casimir Ludwig for help with data collection.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.