Feature integration theory: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Theory of human visual attention}}

The '''featureFeature integration theory''', is a theory of [[attention]] developed in 1980 by [[Anne Treisman]] and [[Garry Gelade]] sincethat thesuggests earlythat when perceiving a 1980sstimulus, positsfeatures thatare different"registered kindsearly, ofautomatically, attentionand in parallel, while objects are responsibleidentified forseparately" ''bindingand differentat featuresa intolater consciouslystage experiencedin wholes''processing. The theory has been one of the most influential [[cognitive model|psychological model]]s of human visual [[attention]].

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==Stages==

According to Treisman, in the first stage of visual processing termed the preattentive stage, several primary visual features are processed and represented with separate "feature maps"integration thattheory are later integrated into "saliency maps" that can be accessed in order to direct attention tois the mostpreattentive conspicuousstage. areas. During this stage, different parts of the objectbrain isautomatically analyzedgather withinformation detailsabout suchbasic asfeatures shape(colors, colorshape, orientation and movement) inthat mind.are Each of these aspects is processedfound in differentthe areasvisual of the brainfield. The main idea that a processed object's features are automatically separated mayappears seemcounterintuitive. counter-intuitive becauseHowever, we perceiveare thenot whole object insteadaware of seeingthis eachprocess separatebecause aspect;it however,occurs this analysis happensearly in the perceptual processprocessing, before we are evenbecome conscious of the object.

The second stage of feature integration theory is the focused attention stage, where a subject combines individual features of an object to perceive the whole object. Combining individual features of an object requires attention, and selecting that object occurs within a "master map" of locations. The master map of locations contains all the locations in which features have been detected, with each ___location in the master map having access to the multiple feature maps. These multiple feature maps, or sub-maps, contain a large storage base of features. Features such as color, shape, orientation, sound, and movement are stored in these sub-maps <ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kristjánsson |first1=Árni |last2=Egeth |first2=Howard |date=2020-01-01 |title=How feature integration theory integrated cognitive psychology, neurophysiology, and psychophysics |journal=Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics |language=en |volume=82 |issue=1 |pages=7–23 |doi=10.3758/s13414-019-01803-7 |issn=1943-393X|doi-access=free |pmid=31290134 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chan |first1=Louis K. H. |last2=Hayward |first2=William G. |date=2009 |title=Feature integration theory revisited: Dissociating feature detection and attentional guidance in visual search. |url=http://doi.apa.org/getdoi.cfm?doi=10.1037/0096-1523.35.1.119 |journal=Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance |language=en |volume=35 |issue=1 |pages=119–132 |doi=10.1037/0096-1523.35.1.119 |pmid=19170475 |issn=1939-1277|url-access=subscription }}</ref>.When attention is focused at a particular ___location on the map, the features currently in that position are attended to and are stored in "object files". If the object is familiar, associations are made between the object and prior knowledge, which results in identification of that object. This top-down process, using prior knowledge to inform a current situation or decision, is paramount in either identifying or recognizing objects.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Nobre |first1=Kia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mtXQAgAAQBAJ |title=The Oxford Handbook of Attention |last2=Kastner |first2=Sabine |date=2014 |publisher=OUP Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-967511-1 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chan |first1=Louis K. H. |last2=Hayward |first2=William G. |date=2009 |title=Feature integration theory revisited: Dissociating feature detection and attentional guidance in visual search. |url=http://doi.apa.org/getdoi.cfm?doi=10.1037/0096-1523.35.1.119 |journal=Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance |language=en |volume=35 |issue=1 |pages=119–132 |doi=10.1037/0096-1523.35.1.119 |pmid=19170475 |issn=1939-1277|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In support of this stage, researchers often refer to patients with [[Balint's syndrome]]. Due to damage in the parietal lobe, these people are unable to focus attention on individual objects. Given a stimulus that requires combining features, people with Balint's syndrome are unable to focus attention long enough to combine the features, providing support for this stage of the theory.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Cohen|first1=Asher|last2=Rafal|first2=Robert D.|date=1991|title=Attention and Feature Integration: Illusory Conjunctions in a Patient with a Parietal Lobe Lesion|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/40062648|journal=Psychological Science|volume=2|issue=2|pages=106–110|doi=10.1111/j.1467-9280.1991.tb00109.x |jstor=40062648 |s2cid=145171384 |issn=0956-7976|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

The second stage involved in perceiving an object is the focused attention stage. This stage involves integrating individual features in order to perceive the whole object, or recognize it if enough information is presented. If the object is familiar, associations are made between the object and prior knowledge in order to aid in recognition. [[Bálint's syndrome]] sufferers, who as a consequence of [[parietal lobe]] damage seem incapable of properly focusing attention, lend credence to this two-staged model of attention.

[[File:FITstages.png|alt=The stages of Featurefeature Integrationintegration Theory.theory|thumb|300px|The stages of feature integration theory]]

Treisman distinguishes between two kinds of visual search tasks, "feature search" and "conjunction search". Feature searches can be performed fast and pre-attentively for targets defined by only one primitive feature, such as color, shape, perceived direction of lighting, movement, or orientation. ConjunctionFeatures searchesshould proceed"pop seriallyout" forduring targetssearch definedand byshould abe able to form [[illusory conjunctions]]. Conversely, conjunction (searches occur with the combination of two or more) offeatures primitiveand featuresare -identified itserially. Conjunction search is much slower than feature search and requires conscious attention. Sheand concludedeffort. fromIn manymultiple experiments, some referenced in this article, Treisman concluded that [[color]], [[Orientation (geometry)|orientation]], and [[intensity (disambiguation)|intensity]] are primitive features, for which feature searches may be performed.

It was widely speculated that the saliency map could be located in early visual cortical areas, e.g. the [[Primary Visual Cortex]] (V1), though this is controversial. Wolfe's popular Guided Search Model offers a more up to date theory of visual search but is also problematic. <ref>{{cite PMID|2527952}}</ref>

As a reaction to the feature integration theory, Wolfe (1994) proposed the Guided Search Model 2.0. According to this model, attention is directed to an object or ___location through a preattentive process. The preattentive process, as Wolfe explains, directs attention in both a bottom-up and top-down way. Information acquired through both bottom-up and top-down processing is ranked according to priority. The priority ranking ''guides'' visual search and makes the search more efficient. Whether the Guided Search Model 2.0 or the feature integration theory are "correct" theories of visual search is still a hotly debated topic.

Treisman distinguishes between two kinds of visual search tasks, "feature search" and "conjunction search". Feature searches can be performed fast and pre-attentively for targets defined by only one primitive feature, such as color, shape, movement or orientation. Conjunction searches proceed serially for targets defined by a conjunction (two or more) of primitive features - it is much slower and requires conscious attention. She concluded from many experiments that [[color]], [[Orientation (geometry)|orientation]], and [[intensity (disambiguation)|intensity]] are primitive features, for which feature searches may be performed.

==Experiments==

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:fourshapesexp.png|thumb|alt=An example of four colored shapes and two black letters.|An example of the stimuli found in Treisman et al. (1982).]] -->In order toTo test the statementnotion that featuresattention areplays independenta invital therole earlyin preattentivevisual stageperception, Treisman and Schmidt (1982) designed an experiment to show that features may exist independently of one another early in whichprocessing. participantsParticipants arewere shown a picture involving four shapesobjects andhidden by two black numbers. The display was flashed for one-fifth of a second. Afterfollowed the display,by a random-dot masking field that appeared on screen to eliminate “any"any residual perception that might remain after the stimuli were turned off” off".<ref>Cognitive Psychology, E. Bruce Goldstein, P 105</ref>. TheParticipants task of participants waswere to report the black numbers first,they followedsaw byat whateach colored___location shapeswhere theythe sawshapes athad fourpreviously locationsbeen. The results of this experiment verified Treisman and Schmidt's hypothesis. In 18% of trials, participants reported seeing shapes “made"made up of a combination of features from two different stimuli” stimuli",<ref>Cognitive Psychology, E. Bruce Goldstein, P 105 </ref>, even when the stimuli had great differences.; Thisthis is often referred to as an [[illusory conjunction]], an often occurring illusion people experience during visual search. While people can typically remember the presence of an objectSpecifically, theyillusory often forget its ___location or color. Theyconjunctions occur in various situations;. forFor example, you may identify a passing person wearing a red shirt and yellow hat and very quickly transform him or her into one wearing a yellow shirt and red hat. FeatureThe feature integration theory canprovides explainexplanation for illusory conjunctions; –because infeatures Treisman’sexist words,independently featuresof one another during early processing and are “freenot floating”associated sowith a specific object, they maycan easily be incorrectly combined both in laboratory settings, as well as in real life situations.<ref>Treisman, A. Cognitive Psychology 12, 97-136 (1980)</ref>.

Research participant R.M., a [[Bálint's syndrome]] sufferer who is unable to focus attention on individual objects, experiences illusory conjunctions when presented with simple stimuli such as a "blue O" or a "red T." For 23% of trials, even when able to view the stimulus for as long as 10 seconds, R.M. reported seeing a "red O" or a "blue T" <ref> Friedman-Hill et al., 1995; Robertson et al., 1997. </ref>. This finding is in accordance with feature integration theory's prediction of how one with a lack of focused attention would erroneously combine features.

As previously mentioned, Balint's syndrome patients have provided support for the feature integration theory. Particularly, Research participant R.M., awho had [[Bálint's syndrome]] suffererand who iswas unable to focus attention on individual objects, experiences illusory conjunctions when presented with simple stimuli such as a "blue O" or a "red T." ForIn 23% of trials, even when able to view the stimulus for as long as 10 seconds, R.M. reported seeing a "red O" or a "blue T" .<ref> Friedman-Hill et al., 1995; Robertson et al., 1997. </ref>. This finding is in accordance with feature integration theory's prediction of how one with a lack of focused attention would erroneously combine features.

[[File:treismanshapes.png|thumb|alt=The stimuli resembling a carrot, lake and tire, respectively.|The stimuli resembling a carrot, lake and tire, respectively. Treisman et al.(1986).]]However, if people use their knowledge or experience to perceive an object, it is less likely to make mistakes. Treisman did another experiment to explain this phenomenon – she presented three shapes to participants and illusory conjunctions persisted. Surprisingly, when she told participants that they were being shown a carrot, lake and tire (in place of the orange triangle, blue oval, and black circle, respectively), illusory conjunctions disappeared <ref>Illusory words: The roles of attention and of top–down constraints in conjoining letters to form words.

By Treisman, Anne; Souther, Janet. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, Vol 12(1), Feb 1986, 3-17.</ref>. Treisman maintained that prior-knowledge played an important role in proper perception. Normally, bottom-up processing is used for identifying novel objects; but, once we recall prior knowledge, top-down processing is used. This explains why people are good at identifying familiar objects rather than unfamiliar.

[[File:treismanshapes.png|thumb|alt=The stimuli resembling a carrot, lake and tire, respectively.|The stimuli resembling a carrot, lake and tire, respectively. Treisman et al.(1986).]]

==Reading==

When identifying letters while reading, not only are their shapes picked up but also other features like their colors and surrounding elements. Individual letters are processed serially when spatially conjoined with another letter. The locations of each feature of a letter are not known in advance, even while the letter is in front of the reader. Since the ___location of the letter's features and/or the ___location of the letter is unknown, feature interchanges can occur if one is not attentively focused. This is known as [[lateral masking]], which in this case, refers to a difficulty in separating a letter from the background <ref>Anne Treisman and Garry Gelade (1980). "A feature-integration theory of attention." Cognitive Psychology, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 97-136.</ref>.

[[File:treismanshapes.png|thumb|alt=The stimuli resembling a carrot, lake and tire, respectively.|The stimuli resembling a carrot, lake and tire, respectively. Treisman et al.(1986).]]However, ifIf people use their prior knowledge or experience to perceive an object, itthey isare less likely to make mistakes., Treismanor didillusory anotherconjunctions. experiment toTo explain this phenomenon, –Treisman sheand Souther (1986) conducted an experiment in which they presented three shapes to participants andwhere illusory conjunctions persistedcould exist. Surprisingly, when she told participants that they were being shown a carrot, lake, and tire (in place of the orange triangle, blue oval, and black circle, respectively), illusory conjunctions disappeareddid not exist.<ref>Illusory words: The roles of attention and of top–down constraints in conjoining letters to form words.

==References==

By Treisman, Anne; Souther, Janet. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, Vol 12(1), Feb 1986, 3-17.</ref>. Treisman maintained that prior-knowledge played an important role in proper perception. Normally, bottom-up processing is used for identifying novel objects; but, once we recall prior knowledge, top-down processing is used. This explains why people are good at identifying familiar objects rather than unfamiliar.

* Anne Treisman and [[Garry Gelade]] (1980). "A feature-integration theory of attention." ''Cognitive Psychology'', Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 97-136.

* Anne Treisman and [[Hilary Schmidt]] (1982). "Illusory conjunctions in the perception of objects." ''Cognitive Psychology'', Vol. 14, pp. 107-141. <ref>'''Abstract'''<br>In perceiving objects we may synthesize conjunctions of separable features by directing attention serially to each item in turn (A. Treisman and G. Gelade, ''Cognitive Psychology'', 1980, 12, 97-136). This feature-integration theory predicts that when attention is diverted or overloaded, features may be wrongly recombined, giving rise to "illusory conjunctions." The present paper confirms that illusory conjunctions are frequently experienced among unattended stimuli varying in color and shape, and that they occur also with size and solidity (outlined versus filled-in shapes). They are shown both in verbal recall and in simultaneous and successive matching tasks, making it unlikely that they depend on verbal labeling or on memory failure. They occur as often between stimuli differing on many features as between more similar stimuli, and spatial separation has little effect on their frequency. Each feature seems to be coded as an independent entity and to migrate, when attention is diverted, with few constraints from the other features of its source or destination.</ref>

* Anne Treisman (1988). "Features and objects: the fourteenth Bartlett Memorial Lecture." ''Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology'', 40A, pp. 201-236.

*Anne Treisman and [[Nancy Kanwisher]] (1998). "Perceiving visually presented objects: recognition, awareness, and modularity." ''Current Opinion in Neurobiology'', '''8''', pp. 218-226.

==Reading==

; Notes

When identifying letters while reading, not only are their shapes picked up but also other features like their colors and surrounding elements. Individual letters are processed serially when spatially conjoined with another letter. The locations of each feature of a letter are not known in advance, even while the letter is in front of the reader. Since the ___location of the letter's features and/or the ___location of the letter is unknown, feature interchanges can occur if one is not attentively focused. This is known as [[lateral masking]], which in this case, refers to a difficulty in separating a letter from the background .<ref>Anne Treisman and Garry Gelade (1980). "A feature-integration theory of attention." Cognitive Psychology, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 97-136.</ref>.

<references/>

==See also==

* [[Attention]]

* [[Binding problem]]

* [[Visual search]]

; ==Notes==

== External links and references ==

<references/>

==References==

* Anne Treisman and [[Garry Gelade]] (1980). "A feature-integration theory of attention." ''Cognitive Psychology'', Vol. '''12, No.''' (1), pp. 97-136&nbsp;97–136.

* Anne Treisman and Hilary Schmidt (1982). "Illusory conjunctions in the perception of objects." ''Cognitive Psychology'', '''14''', pp.&nbsp;107–141.

* Anne Treisman and Janet Souther (1986). "Illusory words: The roles of attention and of top–down constraints in conjoining letters to form words." ''Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance'', '''12''' (1), pp.&nbsp;3–17

* Anne Treisman (1988). "Features and objects: the fourteenth Bartlett Memorial Lecture." ''Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology'', '''40A''', pp. 201-236&nbsp;201–236.

*Anne Treisman and [[Nancy Kanwisher]] (1998). "Perceiving visually presented objects: recognition, awareness, and modularity." ''Current Opinion in Neurobiology'', '''8''', pp. 218-226&nbsp;218–226.

* J. M. Wolfe (1994). "Guided Search 2.0: A revised model of visual search." ''Psychonomic Bulletin & Review'', '''1''', pp.&nbsp;202–238

== External links and references ==

* [http://web.mit.edu/bcs/nklab/media/pdfs/TreismanKanwisherCurrOpBio98.pdf 1998 paper by Treisman and Kanwisher at web.mit.edu]

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[[Category:Cognition]]

[[Category:Human–computer interaction]]

* [[Category:Attention]]

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