The effect of noise in a single-item localization and identification task

Shiu and Pashler ((1994). Negligible effect of spatial precuing on identification of single digits. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 20, 1037–1054) argue that in single-item identification and localization tasks irrelevant, small, elements can induce costs. For explaining the results, they advance a Noise Reduction explanation as an alternative for the traditional Signal Enhancement explanation. The results of a single-item identification and localization task are reported that investigated the effect of irrelevant, small, elements. The experiment supported the view that the noise elements induce costs. The total pattern of results obtained is compatible with the Signal Enhancement explanation and with an elaborated version of the Noise Reduction explanation. It is argued that an explanation with location selection only, that is, an explanation without a second step with Signal Enhancement or Noise Reduction, can also account for the results.