The impact of time pressure on selective attention: The role of attentional scope

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1041.2026.1919

Abstract

Abstract:

This study aims to investigate the mechanisms by which chronic and acute time pressure influence individuals' selective attention (including object-based and space-based attention) and to examine the potential role of attentional scope. In Experiment 1a, the Time Affluence subscale of the Material-Time Affluence Perception Questionnaire was used to assess individuals' chronic time pressure, and the two-rectangle paradigm was employed to measure selective attention. The results revealed no significant effect of chronic time pressure on either object-based or space-based attention. In Experiment 1b, acute time pressure was manipulated by introducing time limits and behavioral feedback within the two-rectangle paradigm. The results showed that acute time pressure significantly weakened the object-based advantage effect but had no impact on space-based attention. Building on this, Experiment 2 added a measure of attentional scope to the paradigm used in Experiment 1b. The results were consistent with a full mediation model of attentional scope. In summary, this study systematically reveals that the mechanism by which acute time pressure (but not chronic time pressure) specifically impairs object-based attention lies in the narrowing of attentional scope.

Key words: time pressure, selective attention, object-based attention, cognitive process, mediating effect

WU Zeyu, ZHAO Jingjing, WANG Luyao, ZHANG Yi, ZHANG Yang. (2026). The impact of time pressure on selective attention: The role of attentional scope. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 58(10), 1919-1930.

Figures/Tables 6

Figure 1. Trial sequences of Experiment 1a.

Figure 2. Reaction time differences between the acute time pressure group and the control group in the OBA task when using different cues.
Note. * indicates p <.05, ** indicates p <.01. See the online version for the color figure. The same below.

Figure 3. Schematic of stimuli, task flowchart, and FFV plot.
Note. (A) Schematic of stimuli. A letter is presented in the central fixation area. In the uncrowded condition, a single target appears in the peripheral visual field, whereas in the crowded condition, the target letter is presented between two distractor letters. (B) Task flowchart. Prior to the onset of the target stimulus, a visual cue (three white dots) is presented to indicate the location of the peripheral letters. Participants are required to identify the middle of the three peripheral letters and report whether it is identical to the letter simultaneously presented in the central fixation area. (C) FFV plot. The spatial extent of the FFV under the crowded condition is plotted on polar coordinates (solid orange line).

Table 1 Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis of variables in Experiment 2

Variable	M	SD	1	2	3
1 Acute time pressure	-	0.50
2 Attentional scope	2.45	0.30	-0.515^**
3 OBA	18.15	14.57	-0.180^*	0.269^**
4 SBA	5.21	14.24	-0.123	0.178^*	0.348^**

Table 2 Mediation effect test.

Model path	Effect	SE	S.E.	p	95% CI
Model path	Effect	SE	S.E.	p	LLCI	ULCI
Acute time pressure → Attentional scope → OBA	Total effect	-0.18	0.08	0.02	-0.29	-0.18
	Direct effect	-0.06	0.09	0.52	-0.12	0.56
	Indirect effect	-0.12	0.04	-	-0.22	-0.05

Figure 4. Path coefficient diagram of acute time pressure, attentional scope, and object-based attention.
Note. *p <.05, ***p <.001.

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