Training and transfer of training in rapid visual search under high target-background similarity

Near-perfect transfer of training was observed in a previous study when participants trained to search for targets on camouflage backgrounds (high target-background similarity) were just as quick to find the camouflaged targets from a different set of images (Boot, Neider & Kramer, 2009). This was achieved in a free viewing paradigm. The unusually robust transfer suggested that participants were learning some general ability to recognize camouflaged targets rather than how each target image stood out against its corresponding background. To explore changes in attentional networks with training in an MRI environment in the future, a paradigm suitable for an fMRI study was tested to determine if the training and transfer benefits remained when using a rapid presentation search paradigm that relies on covert attention. Two groups of participants were tested before and after training, and trained in either camouflage or non-camouflage background conditions. The results showed significant improvements with camouflage training and transfer benefits at the post-training camouflage background test, compared to the control group with non-camouflage training. Both groups were able to use covert attention to detect and recognize camouflaged targets in a brief display, and the camouflage training group transferred this skill to new image set