NEW PERCEPTUAL OBJECTS THAT CAPTURE ATTENTION PRODUCE INHIBITION OF RETURN

New perceptual objects are known to capture attention. We show that su ch attentional capture is similar to that produced by peripheral lumin ance changes, as opposed to symbolic central cues, in that it produces inhibition of return. Two experiments employed equiluminant texture c hanges that attracted attention, producing an initial attentional bene fit tin detection and discrimination) followed by inhibition of return . However, when the display was altered so that the texture change did not define a new object, no facilitation or inhibition was observed. The results bolster recent claims of the importance of new perceptual objects and extend our understanding of the effect of such objects on attention.