The present study investigated whether statistical regularities can influence visual selection.
We used the classic additional singleton task in which participants search for a salient shape
singleton while ignoring a color distractor singleton. The color distractor singleton was
systematically presented more often in 1 location than in all other locations. For this high-
probability location, we found that both the amount of attentional capture by distractors and
the efficiency of selecting the target were reduced. There was a spatial gradient of …

An earlier study using the additional singleton task showed that statistical regularities
regarding the distractor location can cause an attentional bias that affects the amount of
attentional capture by distractors and the efficiency of selection of targets. The distractor
singleton was systematically present more often in one location than in all other locations.
The present study investigated whether this bias also occurs when observers adopt a
feature search mode, ie, when they search for a specific feature (circle) between elements …