Sim 46 · Treisman (1980)

Visual Search

feature integration theory · parallel vs serial · response time

Find the red circle. Click it as fast as you can.

The experiment runs two conditions back to back. In the first, the target pops out — it differs from all distractors in a single feature. In the second, the target shares a feature with each distractor type, so you have to check. You'll see the difference in your own reaction times.

Feature search — target differs in one feature

Conjunction search — target shares a feature with each distractor type

Feature Search Trial 1 of 24

Find:

red circle

Part 2 of 2: Conjunction Search

Now the distractors come in two types: blue circles and red triangles. The target is still a red circle. It shares its color with the red triangles and its shape with the blue circles — so no single feature tells it apart. You'll likely feel the difference.

Results

Feature Search

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Conjunction Search

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