In the attentional blink paradigm:

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In the attentional blink paradigm, researchers examine how attentional processing of a first target (T1) can impair detection of a second target (T2) presented within a short temporal interval. The hallmark finding is a peak deficit in recognizing T2 when it appears roughly 200–300 ms after T1, specifically in trials where T1 has been processed and consolidated into awareness.

Option 1: 'The largest reduction in accuracy is for a second target that occurs 200-300 ms after a first target that has been processed.' This aligns with the classic attentional blink effect: when T1 is successfully processed, processing the subsequent T2 in the 200–300 ms window is most impaired, leading to the largest drop in accuracy. The wording correctly emphasizes that T1 was processed, which is crucial for the blink to occur.

Option 2: 'The largest reduction in accuracy is for a second target that occurs immediately after a first target that has been missed or ignored.' If T1 is missed or ignored, the attentional blink effect on T2 is not typically observed in the same way, and the strongest impairment is not tied to an immediately following T2 in that scenario. This misstates the usual dependence on T1 being processed.

Option 3: 'The largest reduction in accuracy is for a second target that occurs immediately after a first target that has been processed.' The word 'immediately' is misleading here. The critical window is not the moment T2 appears right after T1; it is the 200–300 ms interval where the blink is most pronounced. A near-immediate presentation of T2 does not produce the maximal blink effect.

Option 4: 'The largest reduction in accuracy is for a second target that occurs 200-300 ms after a first target that has been missed or ignored.' This combination is inconsistent with the core mechanism of the attentional blink, which requires T1 to be processed; if T1 is missed or ignored, the typical blink for T2 in this window does not manifest in the same way, making this option inaccurate.

Overall, the reasoning hinges on the dependency of T2 impairment on T1 processing and the characteristic 200–300 ms temporal locus of the blink, with misstatements clearly marked in the incorrect options.

PSYC20007_2025_SM2 Exam: Cognitive Psychology (PSYC20007_2025_SM2)- Requires Respondus LockDown Browser

In the attentional blink paradigm:

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