consortiums

PROJECT 14

SELECTION AND CLASSIFICATION

Language and the localization of objects in space

Phillip M. Wolff
The University of Memphis

Proposed Grant $91,780

Abstract:
The proposed experiments examine people’s ability to localize objects in space while they are concurrently engaged in other tasks (i.e., multitasking). Prior research suggests that localization may be accomplished using either mental rotation or verbal descriptions of a scene. The

proposed research will examine how these two processing strategies are affected by (or affect) performance on concurrent tasks involving either visual or verbal processing. Studies 1 and 2 will investigate object localization while people simultaneously repeat a pre-recorded message or rhythm. Studies 3-5 will investigate object localization while people simultaneously look or listen for a particular verbal phrase, warning signal, or light pattern. Studies 6 and 7 will investigate how processing might change as memory demands are increased. Finally, Study 8 will examine how processing might be affected by the complexity of a scene.