Аннотация:The influence of cognitive factors (semantic category, quality of targetrepresentation, etc.) on visual search characteristics, as a rule, is studied in experimental paradigms that do not allow controlling low-level variables — stimulus characteristics and their configurations. In this study, stimuli identical in low-level characteristics and similar in configuration (symmetrical or asymmetrical) were created. Two types of targets wereused, grouped by verbalizability: high (meaningful, easily and unambiguously attributed to a certain semantic category) and low (not associated with any objects). The results generallysupport the hypothesis of the influences of stimulus configuration and verbalizability on visual search. Visual search for all types of targets was highly effective. Without a targetstimulus in the matrix, decisions were made faster for symmetrical, highly verbalizabletargets. The search for asymmetric stimuli with low verbalizablity was slowest. Bothsymmetry and verbalizability influenced eye movements. The search for symmetrical, easily categorized stimuli was characterized by shorter fixations and larger amplitude saccades compared to the search for more complex targets. ANOVA showed no interaction betweenverbalizability and symmetry factors. This may indicate an independent influence of the processes of the lower (sensory) and cognitive (semantic) levels on the dynamics of eye movements during search.
