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| Research article summary (published 20 Jun 2003): |
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Single-trial classification of parallel pre-attentive and serial attentive processes using functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Full Abstract
Theories of perception have proposed a basic distinction between parallel pre-attentive and serial attentive modes of processing. However, chronometric measures are often ambiguous in separating parallel and serial processes. We have used the activity of attention-related regions of the human brain, measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging, to separate parallel from serial processes at the single-trial level in a visual quantification task. In this task, some have suggested the deployment of two qualitatively different processes, a fast parallel 'subitizing' for sets of one, two or three objects and a slow serial counting for larger sets. Our results indicate that attention-related regions of the posterior parietal and frontal cortices show a sudden increase in activity only from numerosity four onwards, confirming the parallel-serial dichotomy of subitizing and counting. Moreover, using the presence or absence of attentional shifts, as inferred from the activation of posterior parietal regions, we successfully predict whether, on a given trial, subjects deployed a serial exploration of the display or a parallel apprehension. Beyond the subitizing/counting debate, this approach may prove useful to probe the attentional demands of other cognitive tasks.
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Author information
Author/s: Piazza, Manuela (M); Giacomini, Eric (E); Le Bihan, Denis (D); Dehaene, Stanislas (S);
Affiliation: Inserm U562 NeuroImagerie Cognitive, Service Hospitalier Frédéric Joliot, CEA/DRM/DSV, 4 Place du General Leclerc, F-91401 Orsay cedex, France. piazza(-atsign-)shfj.cea.fr
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society (Proc Biol Sci), published in England. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2003-Jun; vol 270 (issue 1521) : pp 1237-45
Dates: Created 2003/06/20; Completed 2003/08/20; Revised 2006/11/15;
PMID: 12816636, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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