Abstract: Invariant spatial configuration of the visual environment can guide observer's attention to specific location and facilitates recognition of the target in it, which is called spatial contextual cueing effect. Based on the systematic review on the previous studies, the present article introduced the classical studies and experimental paradigms of spatial contextual cueing effect, characteristics, content and process of spatial contextual learning, analyzed the mechanisms and neural bases of this effect. Finally, the article carried on the summary of five controversial issues in the previous studies and pointed out that future research could manipulate some key variables, such as materials and task difficulties, to solve these problems.

Key words: visual search, spatial contextual cueing effect, spatial contextual learning