Abstract
Observers’ ability to perform several discrimination tasks at the same time was tested using a two-alternative temporal forced-choice procedure. Discrimination of two auditory dimensions (pitch and intensity) and two visual dimensions (horizontal position and vertical position) was measured under conditions where one, two or all four dimensions required attention. Three signal durations were used: 67, 133, and 200 msec. Increasing the number of dimensions requiring attention systematically reduces the precisions of discrimination for each dimension. Auditory and visual discrimination is affected similarly. The amount of reduction in discrimination is independent of whether the dimensions requiring attention involve the same or different sensory modalities. The data are analyzed for evidence of a constant processing capacity employed in both single and multidimensional discrimination. The possibility that the observed performance levels could be achieved by sequentially processing the simultaneous inputs is also considered.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
BROADBENT, D. E.Perception and communication. London: Pergamon Press, 1958.
BROADBENT, D. E., & GREGORY, M. Division of attention and the decision theory of signal detection.Proc. Royal Soc. B, 1963, 158, 222–231.
BROWN, A. E., & HOPKINS, H. K. Interactions of the auditory and visual sensory modalities.J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 1967, 41, 1–7.
fBUCKNER, D. N., & McGRATH, J. J. A comparison of performance on single and dual sensory mode vigilance tasks. Hum. Fact. Res. Inc. Tech. Rep. 8, L. A., Calif., 1961.
CHERRY, E. C., & TAYLOR, W. K. Some further experiments on the recognition of speech, with one and with two ears.J. Acoust. Soc Amer., 1954, 26, 554–559.
CRAIK, K. J. W. Theory of the human operator in control systems: II. Man as an element in a control system.Brit. J. Psychol., 1948, 38, 142–148.
EIJKMAN, E., & VENDRICK, A. J. H. Can a sensory system be specified by its internal noise?J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 1965, 37, 1102–1109.
ELLIOTT, P. B. In J. R. Swets (Ed.),Signal detection and recognition by human observers. New York: Wiley, 1964.
FORBES, S. M., TAYLOR, M. M., & LINDSAY, P. H. Cue timing in a multidimensional detection task.Percept. mot. Skills, 1967, 25, 113–120.
GREEN, D. H., & SWETS, J. A.Signal detection theory & psychophysics. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1966.
KRISTOFFERSON, A. B.Attention in time discrimination and reaction time. NASA Contract Report, NASA/CR — 194,1965.
LOVELESS, N. E. Signal detection with simultaneous auditory and visual presentation. Flying Personal Research Committee Report, No. 1027, 1957.
LOVELESS, N. E. Attention to individual channels in a bisensory presentation. Flying Personal Research Committee Report, Memo. 129,1959.
MOWBRAY, G. H. Simultaneous vision and audition: the detection of elements missing from overlearned sequences.J. exp. Psychol., 1952, 44, 292–300.
MOWBRAY, G. H. Simultaneous vision and audition: the comprehension of prose passages with varying levels of difficulty.J. exp. Psychol., 1953, 46, 365–372.
MOWBRAY, G. H. The perception of short phrases presented simultaneously for visual and auditory reception.Quart. J. exp. Psychol., 1954, 6, 86–92.
MOWBRAY, G. H. Perception and retention of verbal information presented during auditory shadowing.J. Acoust. Soc Amer., 1964, 36, 1459–1464.
POULTON, E. C. Two channel listing.J. exp. Psychol, 1953, 46, 91–96.
TAYLOR, M. M., LINDSAY, P. H., & FORBES, S. M. Quantification of shared capacity processing in auditory and visual discrimination. In R. F. Sanders (Ed.),Attention and performance. Amsterdam: North-Holland Publishing Co.; 1967.
TREISMAN, A. M. Verbal cues, language and meaning in selective attention.Amer. J. Psychol., 1964, 77, 206–219.
TREISMAN, A. M., & GEFFEN, G. Selective attention: perception or response?Quart. J. exp. Psychol, 1967, 19, 1–16.
WELFORD, A. T. The psychological refractory period and the timing of high speed performance—a review and a theory.Brit. J. Psychol., 1952, 43, 2–19.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The research in this paper was partially supported by National Research Council of Canada Grant No. APT-39 and National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness Grant No. NB 07454, U. S. Public Health Service.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lindsay, P.H., Taylor, M.M. & Forbes, S.M. Attention and multidimensional discrimination1. Perception & Psychophysics 4, 113–117 (1968). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03209520
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03209520