Influence on extreme peripheral vision of attention to a visual or auditory task.

Abstract

In contrast to previous studies which investigated competition of 2 or more tasks at the center of attention, this research examined the effects of competition between tasks at the periphery and center of attention. The apparatus was a perimeter having a radius of 30 in. and Ss were 32 male students. The results showed that both auditory and foveal counting tasks had equally significant detrimental effects on both the number of rsponses (p <.05) and reaction time (p <.01) to peripheral lights. In contrast, the counting tasks were almost 100% accurate. The fact that only the peripheral variable is inhibited gives another way of measuring the effects of attention, and the equality of detrimental effect suggests need for a redefinition of attention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)