Configural encoding in visual feature binding

Abstract

The role of configural encoding in feature binding was assessed using the change detection paradigm. Experiment 1 studied the relevance of location in colour–shape binding with study–test intervals ranging from 0 to 4100 ms. Location was rendered irrelevant by randomising it from study to test display or was kept unchanged from study to test. Results revealed differences between these two conditions at 0 and 200 ms, but not at 1500, 2800, and 4100 ms, suggesting that location was important for feature binding in the initial stages, but performance at longer study–test intervals was impervious to change in locations. Experiment 2 studied the effect of increasing the study-display duration by comparing performance with display durations of 200, 900, and 1500 ms, at the study test intervals of 0 and 2000 ms. Although, there was a general increase in the level of performance with increasing display duration, the interaction effect obtained in Experiment 1 was replicated. Experiments 3 and 4 studied the effect of sequential presentation of stimuli, otherwise retaining the design and procedure of Experiment 2. Different levels of performance in Experiments 2, 3, and 4 revealed the role of configural encoding in the binding process.

Keywords:

• Configural encoding
• Feature binding
• Visual working memory

Acknowledgements

This research was carried out when SJ was a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh. She was supported for this research by a grant from the Development and Alumni Office, University of Edinburgh.