University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Training and transfer of training in rapid visual search under high target-background similarity

Ang, Cher Wee

Content Files
Cher Wee_Ang.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/42182

Description

Title
Training and transfer of training in rapid visual search under high target-background similarity
Author(s)
Ang, Cher Wee
Issue Date
2013-02-03T19:18:36Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Kramer, Arthur F.
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.A.
Degree Level
Thesis
Date of Ingest
2013-02-03T19:18:36Z
Keyword(s)
  • Visual Search
  • Training
  • Transfer
  • Attention
  • Camouflage
Abstract
Near-perfect transfer of training was observed in a previous study when participants trained to search for targets on camouflage backgrounds (high target-background similarity) were just as quick to find the camouflaged targets from a different set of images (Boot, Neider & Kramer, 2009). This was achieved in a free viewing paradigm. The unusually robust transfer suggested that participants were learning some general ability to recognize camouflaged targets rather than how each target image stood out against its corresponding background. To explore changes in attentional networks with training in an MRI environment in the future, a paradigm suitable for an fMRI study was tested to determine if the training and transfer benefits remained when using a rapid presentation search paradigm that relies on covert attention. Two groups of participants were tested before and after training, and trained in either camouflage or non-camouflage background conditions. The results showed significant improvements with camouflage training and transfer benefits at the post-training camouflage background test, compared to the control group with non-camouflage training. Both groups were able to use covert attention to detect and recognize camouflaged targets in a brief display, and the camouflage training group transferred this skill to new image set.
Graduation Semester
2012-12
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/42182
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2012 Cher Wee Ang

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