Frame of reference influences the attentional allocation in space

Attentional allocation in space is proved to be influenced by objects, showing a more efficient attentional shifting within an object compared to between objects, which is called as object-based attention (OBA). Notably, the attentional spreading view explains the OBA as attention is guided by a cue occurring in an object, then spreads through the whole cued object, thus revealing different attentional allocation between cued and non-cued objects. Further studies found this attentional bias could spread beyond the object boundary, from the cued object’s internal space to its external space. In this study, we challenged the attentional spreading view and proposed that the frame of reference (FOR), which integrates objects and space together in a higher representational level, could directly influence the attentional allocation without attentional spreading from the object’s internal space to its external space. To examine this hypothesis, we conducted five experiments using a modified version of the classic double-rectangle cuing paradigm. In Experiment 1, we replaced the two rectangles in classic double-rectangle cuing paradigm with two no-boundary coordinates (FORs), and positioned the cues and targets around the coordinates. The results showed shorter reaction times in the within-FOR condition compared to the between-FOR condition (FOR-based attention). In Experiment 2, 3, 4a and 4b, we moved the positions of cues and targets outside the virtual rectangle of coordinates and manipulated object representation strength by introducing colors and social information (Experiment 2: black coordinates; Experiment 3: red and green coordinates; Experiment 4a: red and green human figures, Experiment 4b: red and green human figures with eyes). Similar results with the Experiment 1 was observed and the FOR-based attention was contingent on the strength of object representation. In Experiment 5a, the aspect ratio of objects, and the distance between cues/target and the objects’ center of mass were further controlled. Same FOR-based attention was stably observed. Finally, in Experiment 5b, an object-absent condition was set as a baseline condition and the FOR-based attention disappeared. In summary, these findings indicated that the FOR could also serve as a unit of attentional selection to guide attention and influence attentional allocation in the in visual field.