The role of visual attention in counting and numerosity estimation

2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K14252
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: 李 キ (菊野優月) 岡山大学, ヘルスシステム統合科学研究科, 非常勤研究員 (30757711)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: visual attention / counting / numerosity estimation

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

Experiments conducted in FY 2020 showed that task-irrelevant object colors can either positively or negatively affect counting performance. A follow-up experiment using a modified version of the counting task was performed in FY 2021. The results showed that counting performance was significantly improved when it was possible to segment visual displays into small areas based on object colors. However, performance was inhibited when color-based segmentation was not possible. These results provide further evidence for color-based effects on counting.
In addition to the counting experiment, experiments investigating color-based effects on numerosity estimation have also been carried out in FY 2021. Preliminary results suggest that task-irrelevant object colors affect estimation precision.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

Experiments conducted in FY 2020 showed complex patterns of interaction between color-based attention and counting. To examine the stability and durability of the novel effects observed in FY 2020, a modified version of counting experiment was conducted in FY 2020. The results are consistent with the findings in FY 2020, confirming that the color-based effects on counting are highly stable and can be generalized to other situations. In addition, experiments investigating the interaction between color-based attention and numerosity estimation have also be carried out. Pilot data collection has been completed. The results of the pilot experiments indicate that numerosity estimation is also affected by color-based attention.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

Data collection of the experiments investigating the effect of task-irrelevant object colors on numerosity estimation is now under way. Data analysis will be performed as soon as possible following data collection. Moreover, a detailed comparison between the results from counting experiments and from numerosity estimation experiments will be conducted to identify similarities and differences between the color-based effects on counting and numerosity estimation.

Causes of Carryover

The first series of experiments revealed complex patterns of interaction between color-based attention and counting. It is important to examine whether the original findings can be generalized to other situations, participants, and stimuli. To this end, an additional experiment was performed. This experiment replicated my previous findings, confirming the stability and generalizability of the effects. I am planning on attending international academic conferences to present these research findings. The remained amount of FY 2021 will be used to cover the travel expenses and conference expenses.