Why signal suppression cannot resolve the attentional capture debate

Luck et al. (2021, Progress toward resolving the attentional capture debate. Visual Cognition, 29(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/13506285.2020.1848949) propose that proactive suppression can help to resolve the long-standing attentional capture debate. They argue that salient but task-irrelevant stimuli automatically generate a priority signal, which leads to attentional capture if it is not suppressed. While this signal suppression framework provides a refreshing new perspective on attentional capture, it cannot fully resolve this debate. To do this, it would have to be demonstrated that task-contingent capture effects in spatial cueing tasks are linked to proactive feature-based suppression preventing attentional capture by salient but irrelevant objects. I argue that there is little evidence if any evidence for such a link. I consider possible reasons why suppression does not seem to play a major role in spatial cueing tasks, and also highlight important general limitations of proactive inhibitory control in visual search.

Automated summary

Luck et al. propose that proactive suppression may help resolve the attentional capture debate, but point out that this approach may not fully address the issue. They argue that while salient stimuli can trigger priority signals, suppression may not necessarily prevent attentional capture. They highlight potential reasons and general limitations in proactive inhibitory control.