Hybrid foraging search: Searching for multiple instances of multiple types of target.

Hybrid foraging search: Searching for multiple instances of multiple types of target.
Vision Res. 2015 Dec 28;
Authors: Wolfe JM, Aizenman AM, Boettcher SE, Cain MS
Abstract
This paper introduces the "hybrid foraging" paradigm. In typical visual search tasks, observers search for one instance of one target among distractors. In hybrid search, observers search through visual displays for one instance of any of several types of target held in memory. In foraging search, observers collect multiple instances of a single target type from visual displays. Combining these paradigms, in hybrid foraging tasks observers search visual displays for multiple instances of any of several types of target (as might be the case in searching the kitchen for dinner ingredients or an X-ray for different pathologies). In the present experiment, observers held 8-64 targets objects in memory. They viewed displays of 60-105 randomly moving photographs of objects and used the computer mouse to collect multiple targets before choosing to move to the next display. Rather than selecting at random among available targets, observers tended to collect items in runs of one target type. Reaction time (RT) data indicate searching again for the same item is more efficient than searching for any other targets, held in memory. Observers were trying to maximize collection rate. As a result, and consistent with optimal foraging theory, they tended to leave 25-33% of target...

Source: Vision Research - December 28, 2015 Category: Opthalmology Authors: Wolfe JM, Aizenman AM, Boettcher SE, Cain MS Tags: Vision Res Source Type: research