IntSearch

In this FWF project (P 33074) we investigate the everyday process of visual search. It describes the search for a target object (e.g. a specific pen on the desk) in a set of other objects (e.g. the other objects on the desk).

Previous research has shown that subsequent searches are influenced by previous searches. In relation to the pen example, this would mean, for example, that a second pen on the desk is found more quickly if it has already been looked at when searching for the first pen. In addition, it has been shown that a briefly interrupted search can be resumed relatively quickly after the interruption. However, it is still unclear whether and to what extent an interruption has an effect on the search behavior before the interruption or on a subsequent search. For example, do we continue searching for the pen in the same place where we were interrupted, or do we start searching in a different place as a result of the interruption? Does an interruption prevent us from searching efficiently for a second pen, or do we continue searching for the first one instead?

We hope that the results of this project will provide us with new insights into the extent to which visual search processes are influenced by interruptions in practice. This may not only be relevant for a simple search for a pen, but may also lead to important insights into the search for tumors in X-ray images or for dangerous objects in luggage.

Publications:

Nachtnebel, S. J., Cambronero-Delgadillo, A. J., Helmers, L., Ischebeck, A., & Höfler, M. (2023). The impact of different distractions on outdoor visual search and object memory. Scientific Reports, 13, 16700. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43679-6

Nachtnebel, S. J., Cambronero Delgadillo, A. J., Helmers, L., Ischebeck, A., & Hoefler, M. (2023, October 11). The impact of different distractions on outdoor visual search and object memory (supplementary material). https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/54SU3

Presentations (2023):

Cambronero Delgadillo, A. J. et al. (2023, August). The Effect of Time Pressure on Visual Search Strategies in Dual Search Tasks. Poster presented at ECVP 2023, Paphos Cyprus.

Nachtnebel, S. J. et al. (2023, August). Distracted on Campus? The Influence of Distractions on Outdoor Visual Search and Memory. Poster presented at ECVP 2023, Paphos Cyprus.

Master theses:

Faber, V. (2022). Einfluss einer Unterbrechung bei der wiederholten visuellen Suche auf Effekte des Kurzzeitgedächtnisses. Universität Graz: Unveröffentlichte Masterarbeit.

Pfann, K. (2022). Auswirkungen einer Unterbrechung bei wiederholter visueller Suche mit farbigen Items. Universität Graz: Unveröffentlichte Masterarbeit.

Strachotta, S. I. (2023). Die Auswirkungen der Unterbrechung einer visuellen Suche auf eine nachfolgende Suche und auf Mechanismen des Kurzzeitgedächtnisses. Universität Graz: Unveröffentlichte Masterarbeit.