Distributed attention · Dynamic tracking

Multiple Object Tracking

Multiple Object Tracking (Pylyshyn & Storm, 1988) measures distributed attention. Targets briefly flash, then all objects move together randomly; you must pick the targets at the end.

DifficultyExpert = strict academic parameters

Age band (for scoring reference)Not signed in (scores won't count toward profile)

Intermediate: 8 objects, 3 targets.

(1) Cue phase 2 s — targets are highlighted in violet, remember them. (2) Tracking phase — all dots turn gray and move together; follow the targets with your eyes. (3) Response phase — click the dots you think are targets, then Submit.

History

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References: Pylyshyn & Storm (1988); Alvarez & Franconeri (2007); Meyerhoff et al. (2017).

Scientific basis

MOT · scientific basis

Distributed attention · Dynamic tracking

Multiple Object Tracking was introduced by Pylyshyn & Storm (1988) in Spatial Vision. Alvarez & Franconeri (2007) showed that capacity is speed-dependent (up to 8 at slow speeds). Meyerhoff et al. (2017) tutorial review is the contemporary reference.

Expert-mode parameters

These are the standard parameters from the canonical paradigm (used by the "Expert" difficulty).

Parameter	Standard value	Source
Total objects	8-16 (commonly 10)	Pylyshyn & Storm 1988
Targets	1-5 (canonical default 4)	Pylyshyn & Storm 1988
Speed	~5-6 deg/s (moderate)	Alvarez & Franconeri 2007
Cue phase	2 seconds	Standard
Tracking	5-10 seconds (often 8)	Standard

Healthy-population norms (by age)

Primary outcome is tracking capacity K (Cowan/Pashler formula: K = N × (2 × hits/N − 1)); adult typical at moderate speed (5-6 deg/s) is ~4. K Excellent = mean + 1 SD. Based on Pylyshyn & Storm 1988 (adults, n≈20) and Trick 2005 (developmental, ages 6-19). Assessment mode matches the band to your actual age.

Limitations： Pylyshyn & Storm 1988 used n≈20 and Trick 2005 used n≈70 — sample sizes are small across every band and there is no large-scale standardized MOT norm. Adult bands 18-44 are the most substantiated (tagged `moderate-weak`); child bands 8-13 rely on Trick 2005 but remain sparse; bands 14-17 and 65+ are extrapolated from neighbours (flagged `est` in norms.ts). Capacity K is highly sensitive to speed, object density, and set-size. Cross-reference with the in-app Corsi (visuospatial WM) or CPT (sustained attention).

Age band	K Excellent	K Mean	SD	Evidence
8-9	~3.0	~2.2	0.8	moderate-weak
10-11	~3.6	~2.8	0.8	moderate-weak
12-13	~4.0	~3.2	0.8	moderate-weak
14-15	~4.3	~3.5	0.8	weak (extrapolated)
16-17	~4.5	~3.7	0.8	weak (extrapolated)
18-24	~4.9	~4.0	0.9	moderate-weak
25-34	~4.9	~4.0	0.9	moderate-weak
35-44	~4.7	~3.8	0.9	moderate-weak
45-54	~4.5	~3.5	1.0	moderate-weak
55-64	~4.2	~3.2	1.0	moderate-weak
65+	~3.9	~2.8	1.1	weak (extrapolated)

Standard output metrics

·Capacity K — Cowan/Pashler formula (primary)
·Accuracy @ set-size n — Accuracy at fixed target count
·Speed threshold — Max speed for 75% accuracy
·d' — Probe variant sensitivity

Citations

Pylyshyn, Z. W., & Storm, R. W. (1988). Tracking multiple independent targets: Evidence for a parallel tracking mechanism. Spatial Vision, 3(3), 179-197. DOI
Alvarez, G. A., & Franconeri, S. L. (2007). How many objects can you track? Evidence for a resource-limited attentive tracking mechanism. Journal of Vision, 7(13):14, 1-10. DOI
Meyerhoff, H. S., Papenmeier, F., & Huff, M. (2017). Studying visual attention using the multiple object tracking paradigm: A tutorial review. Atten Percept Psychophys, 79(5), 1255-1274. DOI
Trick, L. M., Jaspers-Fayer, F., & Sethi, N. (2005). Multiple-object tracking in children. Cognitive Development, 20(3), 373-387. DOI

All reference ranges come from published peer-reviewed literature. For personal training reference only — not a medical diagnosis. Full methodology: docs/PARADIGMS.md.

This tool is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or a clinical diagnosis.