Memory-based attention for bodies

Representations of previous experiences guide visuo-spatial attention, exerting robust influence on perception in a prospective and proactive manner (Summerfield et al., 2006; Salvato et al., 2015). Such mechanism results from the memory top-down control on visual attention, due to the competitive organization of the perceptual system (Soto et al., 2008; Desimone and Duncan, 1995). The visuo-perceptual system privileges animate/biological stimuli within the environment among other stimuli. It has been demonstrated that biological stimuli benefit from a faster visuo-spatial processing compared to non-biological stimuli (Ro et al., 2007). In the current project, we aim at investigating if such perceptual boosting would also affect the memory-based orienting of attention.