The effect of instruction on hierarchical visual processing: an examination of attention and ironic processes

Date

2000-05

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Tech University

Abstract

It has been proposed that when a stimulus is comprised of a number of smaller components that make up a larger object, the visual perception of the pattern is hierarchical (Navon, 1977). The global form is identified first, followed by the local pattern. This effect is called the "global precedence" phenomenon (Navon, 1977) and has been replicated and generalized to a number of stimuli, populations, and tasks (Kimchi, 1992). While global precedence is proposed to be a stable and innate perceptual strategy, Wegner (1994) suggests that the induction of ironic effects can alter cognitive and visual processing. Ironic effects can be defined as the inability to ignore or suppress unwanted information under cognitive load, and the subsequent heightened awareness of the unwanted information. The present study extrapolates the findings of ironic processes to the hierarchical processing of visual stimuli via the manipulation of instruction. One hundred and twenty undergraduates were assigned to one of three instruction conditions, and were briefly shown several hierarchical Navon (1977) figures. A recognition task was incorporated to assess global and local processing. Results indicated that hierarchical processing was not only robust (i.e., global precedence was evident across all conditions), but also impervious to ironic effects. Cognitive load did not affect recognition of hierarchical stimuli and individual difference tests were not predictive of irony or visual processing strategy. These findings are discussed in terms of their applications to a myriad of human factors issues, including visual displays, stress and fatigue, and training.

Description

Keywords

Visual perception, Pattern perception

Citation