High Perceptual Load

There is a withstanding debate pertaining to perceptual load and early or late selective attention theories. Better understanding whether or not selective attention can be sustained during a perceptual task, even when there is a distractor, provides valuable insight into how humans function on a day-to-day basis. Prior research showed that when a person was doing a task that involved high perceptual effort they were better able to focus, thus validating early selective attention (Lavie, 2005). Moreover, tasks that were viewed as “easier” could be made more difficult if irrelevant details were inputted (Lavie, 2005). Lavie (2005), through the usage of more qualitative methodological means, researched which theory best complements perceptual load. …show more content…
Other research has shown that perceptual load can be found in areas 1-4 of the Visual Cortex, as well as the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (Lavie, 2005). This finding proved that a person can be aware of his/her perceptions at one of the earliest times during the visual process (Lavie, 2005). The present reader, in agreement with the author, believes that more research should be conducted to see where else in the brain these similar functions can be