Task-constrained self-initiated attention shifts are indexed by frontal-midline theta ramping.

ABSTRACT: In everyday vision, we often shift attention internally without external cues. These self-initiated attention shifts are fundamental to voluntary behavior but are poorly understood because most studies use cue-based paradigms that predetermine when and where to shift attention. To address this gap, we designed a multi-sequential-choice rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) paradigm with identical visual inputs to dissociate internal and external determinants of attention across three voluntary shift types: task-constrained self-initiated, externally instructed, and unconstrained free-viewing. Participants viewed four simultaneous streams of letters and made overt attention shifts among them, while EEG was recorded. We time-locked theta (4-7 Hz) and alpha (8-12 Hz) oscillations to shift o

SUBMITTER: Hou D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12748220 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature