Salient non-targets usually interfere with target selection and produce increased reaction times (RTs) and lower accuracy (e.g. Posner, 1980). Here we demonstrate that a perceptually salient (i.e. high contrast) non-target can facilitate target selection in a visual search task, when it is predictable. Eye-tracking data indicate that this facilitation is due to better inhibition and faster non-target rejection when attention is captured. This effect appears to depend on the availability of visual (and maybe verbal) working memory.

• Marissa Gamble
• mlgamble@ucdavis.edu
• 530-297-4425