In a recent study, published in Cognition, conducted by our lab member Hao Yu, we discovered that people can learn and apply patterns in difficult serial search more effectively when they are consciously aware of these dynamic regularities. Previous studies have shown that static regularity, such as a likely distractor location, can be learned implicitly and automatically used to enhance visual search. However, this has been shown to be difficult for the dynamic inter-trial regularities, in which target or distractor locations changed according to statistical rules.

In this study, we used the eye-tracking method in visual search and applied dynamic changing rules to the target across trials. Specifically, the target’s position shifted in a predictable manner across trials. Approximately 70% of participants learned the dynamic pattern, and their speed improvements directly correleated with their awareness level. Eye-tracking data showed that aware participants often directed their first saccade to the predicted target location, demonstrating that they could apply the learned rule early during their search. This suggests that onscious awareness plays a crucial role in guiding attention and improving efficiency in visual demanding tasks.

Reference:

Yu, H., Allenmark, F., Müller, H. J., & Shi, Z. (2025). Learning regular cross-trial shifts of the target location in serial search involves awareness – An eye-tracking study. Cognition, 254(105977), 105977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2024.105977