Searching for target parts
Robert G. Alexander, Gregory J. Zelinsky · Journal of Vision · 2011
Real-world objects typically consist of multiple parts. When searching for a multi-part object, are all of its parts used, or just a select few? In experiment 1, participants were cued with one, three, or all four parts of a photorealistic teddy bear target, then searched for the whole target among three other images of whole teddy bears. We found that reaction times (p .05). We conclude that the head/face is preferentially weighted in the target representation when the target contains a head/face, in conjunction with other parts. However, when considered separately, the torsos of our targets allowed for the most effective guiding template, perhaps because they were more homogenous in texture and color. Our results suggest that search guidance increases with the number of target parts, but that all of these parts are not equally effective in guiding search.