Attention effects of abrupt-onset precues with central, single-element, and multiple-element precues

Endogenous and exogenous processes of attention have been inferred with dif ferent types of precues used in allocation of attention to a target locatio n. In the present research, a comparison was made between the typical perip heral single-element precue (SEP), a central precue, and a multiple-element precue (MEP) in order to further understanding of the processes involved i n allocation of attention. Two precues were used on each trial in these exp eriments. An abrupt-onset precue appeared with an SEP, an MEP, or a central precue and was followed 50 or 300 ms later by a screen containing a target and two distractor characters. The abrupt-onset precue and the other precu e each could be valid or invalid in indicating the location of the target, as in the study by Juola, Koshino, and Warner (1995). Response times to the targets showed that validity effects of the abrupt onset precue and the ME P or central precue were additive, whereas those of the abrupt-onset precue and the SEP were interactive. These data suggest that. like a central prec ue, an MEP is an endogenous precue that guides conscious control of attenti on and has its attentional effects at a different processing level from an SEP, which is an exogenous precue and may compete for attentional resources with an abrupt-onset precue. (C) 1999 Academic Press.