CLAM: Closed-loop attention model for visual search

We present the outline of a “closed-loop attention model” (CLAM), to model attentional phenomena such as visual search. CLAM consists of four “parts”: retinotopic areas, feature maps, spatial maps, and working memory. These parts form a closed-loop “diamond” structure, with reciprocal connections. Visual search will result from the dynamic interactions in the diamond connection structure of CLAM. A target in working memory in5uences selection in the feature maps or the spatial maps, which then interact with the retinotopic areas. A target will be selected if there are not too many di6erent distractors. Otherwise, a serial process will result, in which the interaction process in CLAM is limited to a restricted part of visual space. c © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.