The Spatial Distribution Of Inhibition Of Return With Multiple Cues

Inhibition of return(IOR)refers to slower responses to targets at previously attended locations than that at unattended locations.The spatial distribution of IOR with multiple cues(continuous vs.separated)is a long-standing issue.A theory of vector averaging is popular recently,which is contradictory to the functional signifance of IOR that it inhibits attention to the attended locations to optimize the efficiency of visual search.Based on it,we argue that the spatial distribution of IOR with multiple cues is separated.Previous studies investigated the IOR effect by comparing the responses to targets at the attended or unattended locations,which might mask the IOR effect itself.Combining with the typical cue-target pattern,the present study utilized the technique of steady-state visual evoked potentials(SSVEP),which is independent of target processing and highly sensitive to information processing,to investigate the spatial distribution of IOR.The results showed that responses to targets at unattended intermediate locations is similar to that at unattended opposite locations,and is significantly faster than that at attended adjacent/separated locations.Besides,the SNR of SSVEP amplitude showed the similar pattern.The current study took the direct and continuous measurement of the spatial distribution of IOR,proving that the IOR effect spatially distributes separatedly.