Multiple object awareness paradigm explores the capacity of visual consciousness

Journal of Psychological Science ›› 2022, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (3) : 553-560.

PDF(822 KB)
PDF(822 KB)
Journal of Psychological Science ›› 2022, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (3) : 553-560.

Multiple object awareness paradigm explores the capacity of visual consciousness

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Abstract

Whether the capacity of visual consciousness is rich or sparse is a foundational issue in consciousness studies. The controversy originates primarily from the separation between the subjective experience and the objective performance of observers. For example, if an image flashes by, we can experience a rich and detailed visual scene, but a little can be reported. The disconnect between subjective experience and objective observations can be verified as a question to be explained. For example, observers believe that the rich visual experience is largely uncertain. Specifically, visually conscious content may exist in probability and may not necessarily be full of detail. However, it is subjectively considered as rich. Most studies on visual consciousness follow binary alternative-forced chosen procedures, limiting the likelihood that participants report probability consciousness. Therefore, we used a new Multiple Object Awareness Paradigm to allow participants to be multi-responses. An array containing eight stimuli arranged in a circle was presented quickly (the stimuli’s positions are randomly distributed in each trial). Then all stimuli were covered by gray circles, and a target stimulus was placed at a distance of 7° above the cross. The target of each trial was randomly generated. Then, participants were instructed to click on gray circles where they had seen the target appear until they got it correct. Importantly, participants needed to find the target with as few clicks as possible. Thus, even if participants did not find a target on the first click, they could try the second, third, or more until they found the target. Once the target was found, feedback was provided. We calculated the visual consciousness capacity via three methods. First was the traditional estimation method, which was based on the first click was correct or wrong. The second and third were based on total clicks, which were guessed from N stimuli randomly and guessed from N-K stimuli randomly when participants did not find targets on the first click. Results showed that the capacity estimated by the clicks guessing from N was significantly greater than that estimated by the first-attempt accuracy; however, the clicks guessing from N-K were significantly smaller than that estimated by the first-attempt accuracy. Further analysis found that if observers could not locate the target in their first attempt, they were more likely to click closer to the target. In addition, we found that even when observers used the same number of clicks to find a target (2 or 3 clicks), the average distance was shorter when observers reported high-level subjective visibility. This study provides evidence for the controversy of whether visual consciousness capacity is rich or sparse. These results fit the visual ensembles and summary statistics hypothesis. In this view, we have a rich visual experience that is somewhat uncertain or imprecise, as the content of visual awareness may be probabilistic or not necessarily full of details. In summary, we were less concerned with the participants’ correct choices and more concerned with how much information was obtained from their “wrong responses.” Driven by methodological advances in measuring, we can increasingly recognize the flexibility of our visual system.

Key words

multiple object awareness paradigm / visual consciousness / visual consciousness capacity / probabilism / visual ensembles and summary statistics hypothesis

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Multiple object awareness paradigm explores the capacity of visual consciousness[J]. Journal of Psychological Science. 2022, 45(3): 553-560
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