# Target activation and distractor inhibition on attentional bias in priming of popout search

## TL;DR

This study explores how repeated visual targets and distractors influence attention during visual search tasks.

## Contribution

The study introduces a probe detection task to investigate target activation and distractor suppression in priming of popout search.

## Key findings

- More probes were recalled from color singleton targets on color repeat trials compared to baseline.
- Fewer probes were recalled from targets on color switch trials compared to baseline.
- More probes were recalled from non-targets on switch trials than baseline.

## Abstract

Selection history effects occur when visual search is facilitated after previous target features are repeated during subsequent searches relative to when target features switch with non-target distractor features. Selection history on visual search is likely due to a combination of feature activation (increased salience), bias in attentional decisions over target selection, and facilitated post-selection retrieval, and likely reflects both target activation and distractor suppression. The present study used a probe detection task within a standard priming of popout (PoP) visual search task to examine how target activation and distractor suppression influence attentional decisions to select a previous target’s features. PoP was observed in response times and importantly in recall of probes appearing on both color singleton targets and non-singleton distractors. Relative to baseline conditions, more probes were recalled from color singleton targets on color repeat trials, and fewer probes were recalled from targets on color switch trials; and more probes were recalled form the non-targets on switch trials than baseline trials. The results suggest that target activation and distractor suppression contribute to the attentional decision bias that arises due to selection history.