Spatial and temporal attention modulate the early stages of face processing: behavioural evidence from a reaching paradigm.

ABSTRACT: A presently unresolved question within the face perception literature is whether attending to the location of a face modulates face processing (i.e. spatial attention). Opinions on this matter diverge along methodological lines - where neuroimaging studies have observed that the allocation of spatial attention serves to enhance the neural response to a face, findings from behavioural paradigms suggest face processing is carried out independently of spatial attention. In the present study, we reconcile this divide by using a continuous behavioural response measure that indexes face processing at a temporal resolution not available in discrete behavioural measures (e.g. button press). Using reaching trajectories as our response measure, we observed that although participants were able to pro

SUBMITTER: Quek GL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3585364 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature