BINDING OF VISUAL FEATURES IN HUMAN PERCEPTION AND MEMORY SNEHLATA JASWAL Thesis presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Edinburgh 2009 Dedicated to my parents PhD – The University of Edinburgh – 2009 DECLARATION I declare that this thesis is my own composition, and that the material contained in it describes my own work. It has not been submitted for any other degree or professional qualification. All quotations have been distinguished by quotation marks and the sources of information acknowledged. Snehlata Jaswal 31 August 2009 PhD – The University of Edinburgh – 2009 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Adamant queries are a hazy recollection Remnants are clarity, insight, appreciation A deep admiration, love, infinite gratitude For revered Bob, John, and Jim One a cherished guide, ideal teacher The other a personal idol, surrogate mother Both inspiring, lovingly instilled certitude Jagat Sir and Ritu Ma’am A sister sought new worlds to conquer A daughter left, enticed by enchanter Yet showered me with blessings multitude My family, Mum and Dad So many more, whispers the breeze Without whom, this would not be Mere mention is an inane platitude For treasured friends forever PhD – The University of Edinburgh – 2009 1 CONTENTS ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................................... 5 LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................. 6 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.............................................................................................................. 9 NOTES ................................................................................................................................................ 10 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER 2 A REVIEW OF LITERATURE ............................................................................ 15 THE CONCEPT OF BINDING ......................................................................... 15 TOP-DOWN AND BOTTOM-UP INFLUENCES............................................ 23 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FEATURES......................................................... 41 THE SPOTLIGHT OF ATTENTION................................................................ 53 YINYANG: PROCESSES AFFECTING BINDING......................................... 65 SPOTS OF TIME: MEMORY STORES ........................................................... 79 RECAPITULATION........................................................................................ 116 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS ................................................... 119 THE TASK: SWAP DETECTION .................................................................. 119 ARTICULATORY SUPPRESSION................................................................ 122 SIX STIMULI .................................................................................................. 123 APPARATUS................................................................................................... 123 PROCEDURE .................................................................................................. 124 TRANSFORMATION OF SCORES AND STATISTICAL ANALYSES...... 125 CHAPTER 4 EXPERIMENT 1 ................................................................................................. 127 EXPERIMENT 1.............................................................................................. 131 Participants ...................................................................................... 133 Stimuli ............................................................................................. 133 Design and Procedure...................................................................... 133 Results ............................................................................................. 135 Discussion ....................................................................................... 138 CHAPTER 5 EXPERIMENTS 2, 3, AND 4............................................................................... 143 EXPERIMENT 2.............................................................................................. 146 Participants ...................................................................................... 147 Stimuli ............................................................................................. 147 Design and Procedure...................................................................... 147 PhD – The University of Edinburgh – 2009 2 Results ..............................................................................................149 Discussion ........................................................................................150 EXPERIMENT 3...............................................................................................152 Participants.......................................................................................154 Stimuli ..............................................................................................154 Design and Procedure.......................................................................155 Results ..............................................................................................156 Discussion ........................................................................................159 EXPERIMENT 4...............................................................................................160 Participants.......................................................................................161 Stimuli ..............................................................................................162 Design and Procedure.......................................................................162 Results ..............................................................................................163 Discussion ........................................................................................166 COMPARING EXPERIMENTS 2, 3, AND 4..................................................166 GENERAL DISCUSSION................................................................................169 CHAPTER 6 EXPERIMENTS 5, 6, AND 7 ..............................................................................175 EXPERIMENT 5...............................................................................................180 Participants.......................................................................................181 Stimuli, Design, and Procedure........................................................181 Results ..............................................................................................181 Comparing Experiments 5 and 2 ......................................................184 Discussion ........................................................................................186 EXPERIMENT 6...............................................................................................186 Participants.......................................................................................186 Stimuli, Design, and Procedure........................................................186 Results ..............................................................................................187 Comparing Experiments 6 and 3 ......................................................190 Discussion ........................................................................................191 EXPERIMENT 7...............................................................................................192 Participants.......................................................................................192 Stimuli, Design, and Procedure........................................................192 Results ..............................................................................................193 Comparing Experiments 7 and 4 ......................................................196 Discussion ........................................................................................197 COMPARING EXPERIMENTS 5, 6, AND 7..................................................198 GENERAL DISCUSSION................................................................................201 PhD – The University of Edinburgh – 2009 3 CHAPTER 7 EXPERIMENTS 8, 9, AND 10............................................................................. 205 EXPERIMENT 8.............................................................................................. 210 Participants ...................................................................................... 211 Stimuli, Design and Procedure ........................................................ 211 Results ............................................................................................. 212 Discussion ....................................................................................... 216 EXPERIMENT 9.............................................................................................. 217 Participants ...................................................................................... 219 Stimuli, Design and Procedure ........................................................ 219 Results ............................................................................................. 220 Discussion ......................................................................................