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Category: Project

Description: Dual-task studies have shown higher sensitivity for stimuli presented at the targets of upcoming actions. We examined whether attention is directed to action targets for the purpose of action selection, or if attention is directed to these locations because they are expected to provide feedback about movement outcomes. In half of the trials of our experiment, end-point accuracy feedback was spatially separated from the action targets to determine whether attention would be allocated to a) the action targets, b) the expected source of feedback, or c) to both locations. Participants pointed to a location indicated by an arrow while identifying a discrimination target that could appear in any one of eight possible locations. Discrimination target accuracy was used as a measure of attention allocation. Participants were unable to see their hand during pointing. Discrimination target accuracy was best at action targets but was also enhanced at the spatially separated feedback locations. Separating feedback from the pointing targets did not diminish discrimination accuracy at the movement targets but did result in delayed movement initiation and reduced pointing accuracy. The results suggest attention is required for both action planning and monitoring movement outcomes. Dividing attention between these functions negatively impacts action performance.