The visible gorilla: Unexpected fast—not physically salient—Objects are noticeable

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2214930120
• Publication Date: 2023-05-22T19:02:10Z
• Authors: Pascal Wallisch; Wayne E. Mackey; Michael W. Karlovich; David J. Heeger
• Keywords: Gorilla

It is widely believed that observers can fail to notice clearly visible unattended objects, even if they are moving. Here, we created parametric tasks test this belief and report the results of three high-powered experiments (total n = 4,493) indicating effect strongly modulated by speed object. Specifically, fast-but not slow-objects readily noticeable, whether attended or not. These suggest fast motion serves as a potent exogenous cue overrides task-focused attention, showing speeds, long exposure duration physical salience, diminish inattentional blindness effects.