Inhibition of return
Encyclopedia
Inhibition of return refers to the observation that the speed and accuracy with which an object is detected are first briefly enhanced (for perhaps 100-300 milliseconds) after the object is attended, and then detection speed and accuracy are impaired (for perhaps 500-3000 milliseconds). It has been suggested that IOR promotes exploration of new, previously unattended objects in the scene during visual search
or foraging
by preventing attention from returning to already-attended objects.
IOR is usually measured with a cue-response paradigm, in which a person presses a button when s/he detects a target stimulus
following the presentation of a cue that indicates the location in which the target will appear.
IOR was first described by Michael Posner
and Yoav Cohen, who discovered that, contrary to their expectations, reaction time (RT) was longer to detect objects appearing in previously cued locations. It was subsequently shown that IOR can also be associated with a previously attended object, and under appropriate conditions these two inhibitory effects appear to be additive.
Visual search
Visual search is a type of perceptual task requiring attention that typically involves an active scan of the visual environment for a particular object or feature among other objects or features . Visual search can take place either with or without eye movements...
or foraging
Foraging
- Definitions and significance of foraging behavior :Foraging is the act of searching for and exploiting food resources. It affects an animal's fitness because it plays an important role in an animal's ability to survive and reproduce...
by preventing attention from returning to already-attended objects.
IOR is usually measured with a cue-response paradigm, in which a person presses a button when s/he detects a target stimulus
Stimulation
Stimulation is the action of various agents on nerves, muscles, or a sensory end organ, by which activity is evoked; especially, the nervous impulse produced by various agents on nerves, or a sensory end organ, by which the part connected with the nerve is thrown into a state of activity.The word...
following the presentation of a cue that indicates the location in which the target will appear.
IOR was first described by Michael Posner
Michael Posner (psychologist)
Michael I. Posner is the editor of numerous cognitive and neuroscience compilations and is an eminent researcher in the field of attention...
and Yoav Cohen, who discovered that, contrary to their expectations, reaction time (RT) was longer to detect objects appearing in previously cued locations. It was subsequently shown that IOR can also be associated with a previously attended object, and under appropriate conditions these two inhibitory effects appear to be additive.