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Abstract

This study was designed to examine the possibility, that where there is high similarity between irrelevant and target letters, the irrelevant letter will be constructed to a sufficiently detailed level to be seen. 40 randomly selected second year psychology students each attended a 1-hr. experimental session in which they searched 25 lists, followed by a recognition test. The lists were made up from the upper case letters of the alphabet, and during the recognition test each S was required to indicate how many times each of the irrelevant letters had appeared on the final list searched. Analysis of variance showed a significant recognition frequency effect. The results indicated Neisser's (1967) view, that during visual search construction is reserved for the target, may require modification.

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Is Construction Reserved for the Target during Visual Search?

Abstract

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