Expected value as a determinant of the distribution of attention

Expected value as a determinant of the distribution of attention Article

Shulman, HG, Fisher, RP. (1972). Expected value as a determinant of the distribution of attention . 93(2), 343-348. 10.1037/h0032461

Studied the ability to control the distribution of attention across 2 information sources in 2 experiments each using 5 male and 5 female undergraduates. On each trial, a 50-msec compound stimulus consisting of a simultaneous light and tone was presented. Following stimulus presentation, S was cued to judge either brightness or pitch. In Exp. I the cuing probabilities for the 2 stimulus dimensions were varied, and in Exp. II the payoffs for correct responses were varied. In both experiments, Ss were able to distribute their attention in proportion to the expected value of attending to each stimulus dimension. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1972 American Psychological Association.