Table 1 Measures of search performance by group with statistical comparisons
Experimental measure | Low-expectation group | High-expectation group | Statistical comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
Total search time | |||
Hard single-target misses | 9.43 s (2.12 s) | 13.74 s (2.40 s) | Z = 6.34; p < 0.001 |
Easy single-target misses | 9.60 s (2.15 s) | 13.35 s (2.70 s) | Z = 5.41; p < 0.001 |
Hard single-target hits | 9.56 s (1.61 s) | 9.03 s (1.58 s) | Z = − 1.27; p = 0.20 |
Easy single-target hits | 8.88 s (1.54 s) | 8.43 s (1.70 s) | Z = − 1.12; p = 0.26 |
Timeout rate | |||
Hard single-target trials | 4.72% (6.76%) | 11.99% (6.74%) | Z = 4.95; p < 0.001 |
Easy single-target trials | 2.46% (2.86%) | 4.35% (3.82%) | Z = 2.73; p < 0.01 |
Dual-target trials | 1.35% (2.72%) | 1.17% (1.43%) | Z = 1.23; p = 0.22 |
Hit rate | |||
Hard single-target trials | 70.33% (11.67%) | 82.56% (9.87%) | t(82) = 5.20; p < 0.001 |
Easy single-target trials | 90.97% (7.02%) | 94.46% (4.56%) | t(82) = 2.73; p < 0.01 |
Hard (dual-target trials) | 64.89% (12.95%) | 64.85% (15.38%) | t(82) = − 0.10; p = 0.92 |
Easy (dual-target trials) | 88.05% (7.16%) | 86.80% (7.01%) | t(82) = − 0.81; p = 0.42 |
Dual-target: Both Hit | 56.16% (14.23%) | 53.09% (18.76%) | t(82) = − 0.84; p = 0.41 |
Hit response time | |||
Hard single-target trials | 5.40 s (0.84 s) | 5.93 s (0.88 s) | t(82) = 2.80; p < 0.01 |
Easy single-target trials | 3.28 s (1.02 s) | 3.43 s (1.15 s) | t(82) = 0.64; p = 0.52 |
False alarm rate | |||
Hard single-target trials | 3.16% (6.46%) | 5.84% (7.04%) | Z = 2.78; p < 0.01 |
Easy single-target trials | 2.88% (6.65%) | 3.30% (4.34%) | Z = 1.79; p = 0.07 |
Dual-target trials | 2.31% (4.49%) | 2.31% (3.04%) | Z = 0.39; p = 0.70 |