Eye Movements in the Task of Visual Search Depending on the Verbalizability and Symmetry of Stimuli

Background. Visual search is considered today as an active process, usually implemented with the participation of eye movements. Modern search models assume the influence of both stimulus and cognitive variables on its characteristics and effectiveness. However, in research, as a rule, only one type of variables is controlled, which requires the creation of new experimental paradigms that allow studying the influence of both types of factors and their interaction.

Objective. Investigation of the influence of factors of verbalizability and symmetry of the target stimulus on the effectiveness and speed of its search and characteristics of search eye movements.

Methods. The created stimuli were identical in basic stimulus characteristics (color, shape, size, slope, number of elements) but differed in the symmetry of configuration and the level of verbalizability. An intragroup experimental plan was used. Eye movements were recorded in the process of visual search with the SMI HiSpeed 1250 eye tracker.

Sample. The total sample of the study consisted of 48 participants: 18 people (10 men, 8 women, average age — 20) — at the stage of assessing the verbalizability of stimuli; 30 people (6 men, 24 women, average age — 20) — at the main stage.

Results. None of the factors affected the effectiveness of visual search, it remained at a high level. In the absence of the target stimulus in the matrix, the search for symmetrical targets with verbalizability was completed faster, the search for asymmetric stimuli with low verbalizability was the slowest. Both factors influenced the features of searching eye movements: the search for “simple” (symmetrical and/or highly verbalizable) stimuli was characterized by shorter fixations and wide-amplitude saccades than the search for “complex” targets. ANOVA showed that there is no interaction between the factors of verbalizability and symmetry.

Conclusion. The results generally support the hypothesis about the influence of symmetry and verbalizability on the visual search, testifying in favor of their independent influence on the dynamics of search eye movements.

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