Numerical distance effects in visual search

数字信息如何影响人类在初级知觉和认知任务中的信息加工？为了解决这个普遍的问题，我们进行了几次眼动和反应时间实验;这些研究已经在相关的国际期刊上发表了两篇论文（JEP：LMC，AP&P）。我们制定了一个简约的计时模型，并拟合了大量的新数据集，该模型以相当多的定量细节描述和解释了与数值比较过程相关的许多成熟和几个新方面（Reike &施瓦茨，2016）。我们还描述了一个新的眼动效应（扫视过冲效应）：响应扫视的幅度随着两个数字的数值距离的减小而增加;我们提出的模型很好地解释了这种效应。以前的研究结果提出了一个相当复杂的图片关于运动方面的反应行为在数字相关的任务，以及这些方面的依赖性的数字距离。在两个计划的实验中，我们打算详细调查的有效性和限制的扫视过冲效果。具体来说，我们计划操纵所呈现的数字的数量（一个与两个）以及它们在显示器中的空间位置（水平对齐与垂直对齐）。 数字比较研究通常集中在刺激的性质（即，数字），这些数字与先前试验中发生的事件无关。此外，许多这些研究采用具有属性的刺激（例如，数字大小与物理大小），这可能会引起代表性或响应冲突。使用几个很好理解的冲突范例（Snarc，Simon），我们开发了一种新的设计，在其中我们展示了操纵重复（响应）不相关刺激属性的局部试验到试验概率的系统效果，对比不相关属性交替与重复的试验（施瓦茨& Reike，2016）。这些影响是具体的，因此限制，冲突的范式，还是他们持有更普遍？在两个新的实验中，我们打算解决这个问题，使用范例中的相关和不相关的刺激属性是不太可能引起代表性或反应冲突。为此，我们的参与者将根据数字的物理大小或（在不同条件下）它们的颜色来判断数字。此外，为了尽量减少潜在的反应冲突，我们计划收集不仅手动，但也声乐选择的反应。 在我们项目的第一阶段，我们开发了控制我们计划实验的各个方面所需的软件，包括眼动的配准和预处理。同样，几乎所有需要汇总和分析我们计划收集的数据的程序都可以随时使用。

How does numerical information influence human information processing in elementary perceptual and cognitive tasks? To address this general question, we carried out several eye movement and reaction time experiments; these studies have led to two publications in relevant international journals (JEP:LMC, AP&P).We formulated, and fitted to extensive new data sets, a parsimonious chronometric model which describes and explains in considerable quantitative detail many well-established and several new aspects related to numerical comparison processes (Reike & Schwarz, 2016). We also described a new oculomotor effect (the saccadic overshoot effect): the amplitude of the response saccade increases as the numerical distance of the two digits presented decreases; this effect is well accounted for by the model that we proposed. Previous findings present a rather mixed picture regarding motor aspects of the response behavior in number-related tasks, and the dependency of these aspects on numerical distance. In two planned experiments we intend to investigate in detail the validity and limits of the saccadic overshoot effect. Specifically, we plan to manipulate the number of the digits presented (one vs. two) and also their spatial position within the display (horizontally vs. vertically aligned). Number comparison studies typically focus on properties of the stimuli (i.e., digits) which are unrelated to the events which have taken place in the preceding trial. Also, many of these studies employ stimuli with attributes (e.g., numerical vs. physical size) which potentially induce a representational or response conflict. Using several well-understood conflict paradigms (Snarc, Simon), we have developed a new design within which we demonstrated the systematic effect of manipulating the local trial-to-trial probability of repeating the (response-)irrelevant stimulus attribute, contrasting trials in which the irrelevant attribute is alternated vs. repeated (Schwarz & Reike, 2016). Are these effects specific for, and thus limit to, conflict paradigms, or do they hold more generally? In two new experiments, we intend to address this question, using paradigms in which the relevant and the irrelevant stimulus attribute are unlikely to induce representational or response conflicts. To this end, our participants will judge digits with respect to their physical size, or (in different conditions) their color. In addition, to minimize potential response conflicts we plan to collect not only manual but also vocal choice responses. During the first phase of our project we have developed the software needed to control all aspects of our planned experiments, including the registration and preprocessing of eye movements. Similarly, nearly all programs needed to aggregate and to analyze the data we plan to collect are readily utilizable.