Attentional Capture (Additional Singleton)
In this visual search task, a grid of colored squares appears and you must find and click the target as quickly as possible: the target is the single square in the primary color (the theme's main accent color). On half of the trials, an additional singleton distractor — one square in the warning color (the theme's alert color) — appears among the neutral squares. Reaction time (RT) and accuracy are compared between trials with and without the singleton to measure attentional capture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have another question? Let us know.
Overview
Search with an additional singleton distractor to assess attentional capture cost in RT and accuracy.
How to operate
After the array appears, locate and click the target as quickly as possible. The target is the single square in the primary color; all other squares are neutral gray, except that on some trials an extra singleton square in the warning color appears — ignore it and keep searching for the primary-colored target.
Outputs
Mean RT and accuracy for with/without singleton conditions.
Export
CSV/JSON export supported.
What does this have to do with everyday phone use?
Notifications grab attention the same way: a flash or buzz pulls your eyes even when you were not looking for it. Switching off most notifications is one of the easiest ways to protect focus — fewer interruptions mean fewer involuntary attention captures.
Show Details
About Attentional Capture
Theoretical Background
Attentional capture refers to the automatic redirection of attention by stimuli that pop out from their surroundings. The 'additional singleton' paradigm, introduced by Jan Theeuwes (1991, 1992), isolates this phenomenon by comparing search performance with and without a uniquely distinctive distractor.
Attention Mechanisms
When a singleton (an item that differs from others in color, orientation, or shape) appears in a display, it can automatically capture attention even when observers are trying to ignore it. This demonstrates bottom-up attentional control — attention being driven by stimulus properties rather than top-down goals.
Research Applications
Studies using this paradigm have shown that capture occurs rapidly (within 100-150ms) and is influenced by task relevance. It remains a key paradigm for understanding the interplay between goal-driven and stimulus-driven attention.
References
- Theeuwes, J. (2010). Top-down and bottom-up control of visual selection. Acta Psychologica, 135(2), 77-99. 10.1016/j.actpsy.2010.02.006
- Theeuwes, J. (1992). Perceptual selectivity for color and form. Perception & Psychophysics, 51(6), 599-606. 10.3758/BF03211656
- Folk, C. L., Remington, R. W., & Johnston, J. C. (1992). Involuntary covert orienting is contingent on attentional control settings. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 18(4), 1030-1044. 10.1037/0096-1523.18.4.1030
Related Experiments
Dot Probe Task
FeaturedInvestigates attentional bias towards emotional stimuli.
Attentional Blink
FeaturedReflects processing limitations when two targets appear in close succession in a rapid serial visual presentation.
Inhibition of Return (IOR)
FeaturedMeasures how attention is inhibited from returning to a previously attended location.
Learn More
APM Test - Actions Per Minute
FeaturedMeasure your clicking speed and visual reaction time. Click numbers from 50 to 1 as fast as possible!
Free IQ Test
FeaturedTest your intelligence quotient with this free IQ test covering pattern recognition, logical reasoning, and spatial skills.
Cognitive Processing and Performance Mindset Scale
FeaturedAssess cognitive processing and performance mindset across standard dimensions.
About This Experiment
This experiment is an educational adaptation for demonstration purposes. It is not a clinical diagnostic tool. Results reflect your performance in this specific session and should not be interpreted as an assessment of your cognitive abilities.
Data Privacy
Your experiment data is processed and stored locally in your browser. No data is uploaded to any server unless you explicitly export it.
