Abstract:
As we navigate through the environment, we receive an overwhelming input of visual information that we cannot fully process at one given time. Therefore, the visual system allocates attention to certain stimuli to facilitate the appropriate responses needed (Pourtois & Vuilleumier, 2006). From an evolutionary perspective, rapid attention to threat-related stimuli would be advantageous as it increases the chances of survival. The present study used an exogenous dot-probe cueing paradigm incorporating electrophysiological components N2pc, P1 and N1 to explore evidence for a threat detection advantage. The behavioural results support the threat capture hypothesis, and found participants were faster and more accurate for valid trials compared to invalid trials. A significant N2pc was observed, suggesting threatening facial expressions are salient and automatically attract attention. Results yielded no significant P1 component, however a significant N1 component was present, providing further support for the threat-superiority effect.