| Approved on: | 2026-04-14 |
| Brief purpose of the study: | The goal of this study is to help understand attention. In everyday life, we are often overloaded by competing sensory information and tasks. To function efficiently, we must use attention to choose the most relevant sensory information and the most important tasks. The current study aims to better understand what factors contribute to the control of attention and how people avoid distraction. The study will use EEG and eye movement measures to understand attention. |
| Brief summary of what participants will be asked to do: | You will be asked to perform a computer task that measures attention. The task will involve viewing shapes and letters that appear on a computer screen. You will look for an object while ignoring distracting objects and will be asked to make a response about the object you were looking for. While you perform the task we will record an electroencephalogram (EEG). EEG is a noninvasive technique that uses small metal disks covered in plastic placed in a cap that you wear to measure brainwaves. An eye tracker will record information about where you are looking during the task. The eye tracker does not make direct contact with you and only records information about eye position. |
| Basic eligibility criteria: | - You must be 18–35 years old
- You must have normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity
- You must have normal color vision (no color blindness)
- You must have no history of neurological problems (e.g., brain surgeries, plates in skull, strokes, etc.)
- You must not have a cosmetic device or hair styles that cannot be removed on the head (e.g., a permanent wig or braids that cannot be undone). |
| Study contact for more information: | attentionlab@missouri.edu |
| IRB Number: | 2097167 MU |
