Neuronal and behavioral rhythmicity of feature-based and object-based mechanisms of selective visual attention

• Applicant: Dr. Berit Hartjen
• Subject Area: Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience ; General, Cognitive and Mathematical Psychology
• Term: from 2020 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 437568432

The rhythmic theory of attention has lately become one of the most pioneering theories in the field of attention research. Recent studies were able to demonstrate that the environment is sampled in theta-rhythmic cycles during sustained attention at a cued location. These cycles include alternating periods of enhanced and reduced perceptual sensitivity at the cued location. However, so far, these rhythmic patterns have been almost exclusively investigated in the area of spatial attention. Given the similarities in the neural bases of spatial-based, feature-based as well as object-based attentional mechanisms, respectively, similar rhythmic patterns may also exist for feature- and object-based attention. Hence, the proposed research project is intended to investigate the rhythmicity of feature- and object-based mechanisms of selective visual attention. In doing so, a multidimensional methodological approach, based on the acquisition of behavioral, EEG, fMRI and ECoG data, will permit an in-depth analysis of rhythmic attentional processes both at the behavioral and neural level.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professorin Dr. Sabine Kastner