This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/19764
Description
Title
Target detection in left and right hemispace
Author(s)
Noll, Erika Lisa
Issue Date
1996
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Banich, Marie T.
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Biology, Neuroscience
Psychology, Cognitive
Psychology, Physiological
Language
eng
Abstract
Traditionally, spatial processing has been considered the domain of the right hemisphere(e.g., Milner, 1974; Sperry, 1974). Recent research however, suggests that both hemispheres may play a role in analyzing spatial information with each contributing in a different manner (e.g., Robertson & Lamb, 1991). Five experiments presented here explore hemispheric differences in one particular aspect of spatial processing, namely the detection of a particular object or target that appears along with other items. In Experiment 1, subjects were asked to detect a target digit within an array of six digits when either all of the items in the array other than the target were the same (Homogeneous condition) or when they were all different (Heterogeneous condition). Results suggested that the right hemisphere is more sensitive to the background in which the target appeared. In Experiment 2, subjects were asked to detect a target in an array in which the location of the background digits varied from trial to trial. The results suggested that positional uncertainty in the array aided the right hemisphere while hindering the left. In Experiment 3, the results of Experiment 1 were confirmed in a forced-choice paradigm. Experiment 4 examined the effect presenting two targets in the array. Results demonstrated that when two targets were presented in an array, each hemisphere continued to process the information it received independent of the processing of the other hemisphere. In Experiment 5, subjects viewed arrays composed of chevron figures. This experiment added a condition in which the distractor figures themselves composed the elements of a larger figure or Gestalt. It was hypothesized that the results for the Homogeneous and Heterogeneous backgrounds would be the same as in previous experiments and that the Gestalt condition would have a greater effect on right hemisphere processing. Results of the five experiments are discussed in light of proposed model of hemispheric control of attention.
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
