Investigate The Influence Of Self-related Information On Attention Selection From The Perspective Of Attention Inhibition

The interaction between the representation of working memory and selective attention is a hot topic in recent years.Maintaining the target features in the working memory plays a guide role for visual attention by top-bottom processes,but active inhibition of attention can also be produced for the purpose of avoid the distractors from non-target working memory representation(ie forms a non-target template).This study is based on the attention-inhibition theory of working memory representation,aims to investigate the influence of self-association on the non-target stimulus representation stored on working memory in the visual search task,to reveal the role of self-association information in regulation and control tasks from the perspective of attentional suppression function.In this study,two studies(3 experiments in total)were conducted to investigate the effect of self-associated stimuli on selective attention in visual search.Study 1 adopted a behavioral experiment(Experiment 1)and an ERP experiment(Experiment 2)respectively.After subjects completed the color-label links,a classic “Working Memory-guided visual search task” was needed in which they needed to search a target shape among several items.The result of Experiment 1 found that when the informed distracter color was self-associated compared with when the color was stranger-associated or neural,it can be suppressed more effectively,which is reflected in the faster response time to the target search.Experiment 2 used event-related potentials and found that when memory cues were presented,self-associated working memory representations induced greater P2 and P3 components,which indicating that self-association can increased perceptual significance of neutral stimuli at early visual processing stage,to enhance the working memory representation of self-association stimuli;In the cue sequence,the stimuli presented in the early stage(around 150 ms),self-associated memory matching stimuli induced Pd amplitudes,which is represent the attention suppression process,followed by N2 pc components related to memory capture.However,the working memory associated with friends and strangers induces the N2 pc component(about 180-320 ms)indicated an attentional capture on the early stage in the presentation of the clue sequence.Further,after 300 ms,all labels matching the working memory triggered Pd,which is associated with the inhibition processes,but the Pd component induced by self-association stimulation was significantly smaller than that of friends and strangers.In Study 2(Experiment 3),after the participants completed th e color-label links,they were asked to complete an orientation judgment task,to examine how the self-associated information affected the attention selection process when as distraction independent of the task.The result was found that,the self-associated information was actively suppressed,manifesting as Pd component in the ipsilateral brain region of the probe sequence.However,the N2 pc component,which is associated with attention capture appears,was found when the stimulus was associated with friends and strangers.Based on the results of this study,we draw the following important conclusions:(1)When self-associated information appears as a visual search disturbance stimulus,it can be suppressed more easily,thereby facilitating the visual search task.The mechanism of this promoting effect is that self-association enhance the conscious perception of stimulants.And in the dual task of working memory-visual search,the enhancement of the working memory representation of self-association can be combined with cognitive control(form an non-target template),Combining prospective-inhibition and reactive-inhibition together to promote behavioral performance.On the contrary,only reactive repression strategies are used for the other-associated stimulus.(2)When self-associated stimuli emerge independent of task in visual search task,individuals will also show an attentional inhibition effects to avoid interference with the identification of the target features,but it will not promote the current task behavior itself.But the attentional capture was found when working memory was matched with friends and strangers.In general,this study provides evidence from the attention-suppression effect of self-association stimulus(when self-associated working memory representation matches visual search distraction stimulation),and reveals the influence of selfassociation on advanced cognitive control tasks.It is beneficial to further understand human adaptive behavior.