In multiple object tracking (MOT), observers keep track of a number of objects that move haphazardly around a display in the presence of identical distractors. The present work examined the role of visual attention in the MOT task using event-related potentials (ERPs). Specifically, I measured the amplitude of the N1 component to probe flashes presented on targets, distractors, or neutral display areas. The results of these experiments showed evidence that visual attention enhances targets and suppresses distractors during MOT (Experiment 1, 3, & 4). However, there was also evidence that when tracking load was light (two targets and two distractors), accurate tracking could be carried out without any apparent contribution from the visual attention system (Experiment 2). These results suggest that attentional selection during MOT is flexibly determined by task demands as well as tracking load and that visual attention may not always be necessary for accurate tracking.
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