The role of attention in the binding of surface features to locations

Abstract

Previous studies have proposed that attention is not necessary for detecting simple features but is necessary for binding them to spatial locations. The present study tested this hypothesis, using the N2pc component of the event-related potential waveform as a measure of the allocation of attention. A simple feature detection condition, in which observers reported whether a target colour was present or not, was compared with feature-location binding conditions, in which observers reported the location of the target colour. A larger N2pc component was observed in the binding conditions than in the detection condition, indicating that additional attentional resources are needed to bind a feature to a location than to detect the feature independently of its location. This finding supports theories of attention in which attention plays a special role in binding features.

Acknowledgements

This research was made possible by grants MH63001 and MH65034 from the National Institute of Mental Health.