This experiment compares times to find a "Z" in a column of round letters (O, S, Q) vs. a column of angular letters (K, E, L). It predicts that finding an angular letter in a field of round letters would be easier because the distractors have fewer features in common with the target.
The article on which this experiment is based is fairly long and deals with the general concept of visual search (finding a face in a crowd, or a name in a telephone book). The particular part replicated here deals with context effects and effects of position in visual search. It involves a display that is 24 lines long, with 6 letters in each line. The target is the letter "Z". The two factors of interest are whether the letters other than the target resemble it, and where the target is in the display (line 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, or 24). The experiment hopes to show that reaction time varies directly with the position of the item in the display and that finding the target is twice as fast if it does not resemble the distractor letters.
- Microsoft Windows 2000/XP
- Pentium Processor 1GHz or higher
- 512MB RAM or higher
- 4X AGP Video with 64MB RAM or higher
- Sound Blaster LIVE! Sound Card
- CD-ROM
- USB or Parallel Port
- Serial Port**
- Internet Connection
** For use with the PST Deluxe Serial Response Box.
Citation
Neisser, U. (1964). Visual search. Scientific American 210(6), 94-102.
The cognitive operations involved in looking for a face in a crowd or a word in a list can be studied by timing the scanning process. Apparently many such operations can be carried out simultaneously. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2005 APA, all rights reserved)
Catalogued From
STEP (System for Teaching Experimental Psychology)
