Variability in human visual representation

Abstract

In the face of massive influx of sensory stimulation, humans are confronted with a critical problem of selecting a subset of information, making the best use of limited cognitive capacity. Attention is the cognitive mechanism that solves this selection problem, allowing for enhancement of currently relevant information while inhibiting irrelevant information. The efficiency of attentional control, however, fluctuates within and across individuals due to many factors. In this talk, my previous research will be presented, specifically focusing on how distinct attributes of sensory input (value, relevance, salience, contexts, etc.) are integrated to optimally guide attentional deployment, and what factors determine the variability in visual representations within and across individuals.