Picking the right piece: Action intentions shape visual search and action planning in human multi-target-foraging

TL;DR

This study shows how people choose objects during tasks like picking LEGO bricks, balancing immediate effort with future action needs.

Contribution

The study introduces a real-world multi-target foraging framework using LEGO bricks to explore how action intentions influence visual search and movement planning.

Findings

Participants prioritized nearby and task-beneficial objects when creating a pile.

Movement planning balanced immediate movement costs with future precision demands.

Action context and environmental layout significantly influence visual selection strategies.

Abstract

Everyday behavior, such as grocery shopping, involves searching for multiple similar objects (“visual foraging”). Although object search is usually performed in order to interact with the object, only a few studies used real objects. In object interaction, the interaction type and precision requirements likely affect object selection. When high precision is required, actions are performed more carefully (e.g., with lower speed). To investigate action context in interactive real-world multi-target foraging, we asked participants to pick and place LEGO bricks and varied the precision requirements with different placing instructions. Movement analysis revealed that participants preferred nearby objects but also prioritized those beneficial to the task, such as larger objects, when creating a pile. This demonstrates that participants planned reach movements by balancing immediate movement costs with future precision demands. In sum, task and action context, such as placing requirements or the environmental layout, must be considered for understanding visual selection in real-world situations.

•In multi-target foraging, objects are selected to minimize motor and search efforts•Spatial search organization seems highly tuned toward the particular action task•Selection strategies adapt to biomechanics depending on the environment and context•Foraging tasks can reveal the dynamical interplay of action and perception

In multi-target foraging, objects are selected to minimize motor and search efforts

Spatial search organization seems highly tuned toward the particular action task

Selection strategies adapt to biomechanics depending on the environment and context

Foraging tasks can reveal the dynamical interplay of action and perception

Natural sciences; Biological sciences; Neuroscience; Clinical neuroscience; Social sciences; Psychology

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