The state of a central inhibition system predicts access to visual targets: An ERP study on distractor-induced blindness (DIB)

Distractor-induced blindness (DIB) is elicited in a temporal selection task based on rapid serial visual presentation: Following the onset of a central cue (color change of fixation), a target in a global stream has to be detected (orientation change of tilted bars). Distractors are occasional target-like events presented prior to the onset of the cue. Depending on the number of distractor episodes, a frontal ERP negativity (FN) is evoked, and the detection rate of the forthcoming target is reduced. Here, we provide a concise review of the DIBs' functional characteristics, and examine the relationship between FN activation on target processing and detectability. To this end, ERP responses collected in a set of participants (n = 14) were analysed separately with respect to detection performance (hits vs. misses). A gradual increase in the amplitude of the FN with increasing number of distractor events was only observed for forthcoming misses, but not for hits. The FN activation can be linked to a target-related ERP component: The amplitude of a late centro-parietal positivity (LPC) was significantly diminished for misses. In sum, the data support the notion that the DIB reflects the controlled activation of a central inhibition system. Depending on its state of activation, conscious access to stimuli defined by distinctive visual features is restricted.