Staff profile

I have joined the Department of Psychology at Durham University in 2016. Prior to this, I studied experimental psychology at the Universities of Bern (lic.phil.hum.) and Fribourg (PhD) in Switzerland and spent six years as a post-doctoral research fellow at Birkbeck, University of London.

My work

I am an experimental psychologist whose research is focused on understanding the cognitive and neuronal underpinnings of visual selective attention. In our complex visual world, multiple objects compete for perception and action control. Selective attention determines which of these objects are processed preferentially at any given moment in time. Importantly, object relevance can be determined by our personal task goals and selection intentions. If we search for a particular object (e.g., banana on the fruit shelf), we use mental object representations held in memory (attentional target templates) to guide attention to template-matching objects in the visual field (e.g., yellow objects). The temporal and organisational properties of such interactions between memory (knowing what to look for) and attention (detecting a sought-for object) are at the core of my research. In my experiments I combine behavioural and electrophysiological (EEG/ERPs) measures to track memory-guided attention across time and space.

• Key words:
• Visual cognition
• Memory-guided selective attention
• Attentional templates
• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Event-related potentials (ERPs)

• 2000: British Psychological Society (BPS): British Psychological Society (BPS)
• 2000: Experimental Psychology Society (EPS): Experimental Psychology Society (EPS)
• 2000: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA): Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• 2000: Society for Psychophysiological Research (SPR): Society for Psychophysiological Research (SPR)
• 2000: Vision Sciences Society (VSS): Vision Sciences Society (VSS)

Journal Article

• Grubert, A., Wang, Z., & Eimer, M. (online). Target switch costs in visual search arise during the preparatory activation of target templates. Psychophysiology, https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.14658
• Grubert, A., Wang, Z., Williams, E., Jimenez, M., Remington, R., & Eimer, M. (online). The capacity limitations of multiple‐template visual search during task preparation and target selection. Psychophysiology, e14720. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.14720
• Jimenez, M., Wang, Z., & Grubert, A. (2024). Attentional templates for target features versus locations. Scientific Reports, 14(1), Article 22306. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73656-6
• Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2023). Do We Prepare for What We Predict? How Target Expectations Affect Preparatory Attentional Templates and Target Selection in Visual Search. The Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 35(12), 1919-1935. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_02054
• Becker, S. I., Grubert, A., Horstmann, G., & Ansorge, U. (2023). Which processes dominate visual search: Bottom-up feature contrast, top-down tuning or trial history?. Cognition, 236, Article 105420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2023.105420
• Kerzel, D., & Grubert, A. (2022). Capacity limitations in template-guided multiple color search. Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, 29(3), 901-909. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-021-02040-6
• Horstmann, G., Becker, S. I., & Grubert, A. (2020). Dwelling on simple stimuli in visual search. Attention, Perception, and Psychophysics, 82(2), 607-625. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13414-019-01872-8
• Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2020). Preparatory Template Activation during Search for Alternating Targets. The Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 32(8), 1525-1535. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_01565
• Kerzel, D., Barras, C., & Grubert, A. (2018). Suppression of salient stimuli inside the focus of attention. Biological Psychology, 139, 106-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2018.10.010
• Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2018). The time course of target template activation processes during preparation for visual search. Journal of Neuroscience, 38(44), 9527-9538. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.0409-18.2018
• Jenkins, M., Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2018). Category-based attentional guidance can operate in parallel for multiple target objects. Biological Psychology, 135, 211-219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2018.04.006
• Jenkins, M., Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2018). The speed of voluntary and priority-driven shifts of visual attention. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 44(1), 27-37. https://doi.org/10.1037/xhp0000438
• Jenkins, M., Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2017). Target objects defined by a conjunction of colour and shape can be selected independently and in parallel. Attention, Perception, and Psychophysics, 79(8), 2310-2326. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13414-017-1410-x
• Fahrenfort, J. J., Grubert, A., Olivers, C. N., & Eimer, M. (2017). Multivariate EEG analyses support high-resolution tracking of feature-based attentional selection. Scientific Reports, 7, Article 1886. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-01911-0
• Katus, T., Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2017). Intermodal attention shifts in multimodal working memory. The Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 29(4), 628-636. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_01072
• Grubert, A., Fahrenfort, J., Olivers, C., & Eimer, M. (2017). Rapid top-down control over template-guided attention shifts to multiple objects. NeuroImage, 146, 843-858. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.08.039
• Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2016). Rapid attentional selection processes operate independently and in parallel for multiple targets. Biological Psychology, 121(Part A), 99-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2016.10.012
• Grubert, A., Carlisle, N., & Eimer, M. (2016). The control of single-color and multiple-color visual search by attentional templates in working memory and in long-term memory. The Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 28(12), 1947-1963. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_01020
• Jenkins, M., Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2016). Rapid parallel attentional selection can be controlled by shape and alphanumerical category. The Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 28(11), 1672-1687. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_00995
• Nako, R., Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2016). Category-based guidance of spatial attention during visual search for feature conjunctions. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 42(10), 1571-1686. https://doi.org/10.1037/xhp0000244
• Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2016). All set, indeed! N2pc components reveal simultaneous attentional control settings for multiple target colors. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 42(8), 1215-1230. https://doi.org/10.1037/xhp0000221
• Schönhammer, J., Grubert, A., Kerzel, D., & Becker, S. (2016). Attentional guidance by relative features: Behavioral and electrophysiological evidence. Psychophysiology, 53(7), 1074-1083. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.12645
• Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2016). The speed of serial attention shifts in visual search: Evidence from the N2pc component. The Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 28(2), 319-332. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_00898
• Katus, T., Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2015). Electrophysiological evidence for a sensory recruitment model of somatosensory working memory. Cerebral Cortex, 25(12), 4697-4703. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhu153
• Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2015). Does visual working memory represent the predicted locations of future target objects? An event-related brain potential study. Brain Research, 1626, 258-266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2014.10.011
• Eimer, M., & Grubert, A. (2015). A dissociation between selective attention and conscious awareness in the representation of temporal order information. Consciousness and Cognition, 35, 274-281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2015.01.001
• Lagroix, H., Grubert, A., Spalek, T., Di Lollo, V., & Eimer, M. (2015). Visual search is postponed during the period of the AB: An event-related potential study. Psychophysiology, 52(8), 1031-1038. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.12435
• Huber-Huber, C., Grubert, A., Ansorge, U., & Eimer, M. (2015). Nasotemporal ERP differences: evidence for increased inhibition of temporal distractors. Journal of Neurophysiology, 113(7), 2210-2219. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00344.2014
• Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2015). Rapid parallel attentional target selection in single-color and multiple-color visual search. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 41(1), 86-101. https://doi.org/10.1037/xhp0000019
• Becker, S., Grubert, A., & Dux, P. (2014). Distinct neural networks for target feature versus dimension changes in visual search, as revealed by EEG and fMRI. NeuroImage, 102(Part 2), 798-808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.08.058
• Eimer, M., & Grubert, A. (2014). The gradual emergence of spatially selective target processing in visual search: From feature-specific to object-based attentional control. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 40(5), 1819-1831. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037387
• Grubert, A., Indino, M., & Krummenacher, J. (2014). From features to dimensions: cognitive and motor development in pop-out search in children and young adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, Article 519. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00519
• Krummenacher, J., Grubert, A., Töllner, T., & Müller, H. (2014). Salience-based integration of redundant signals in visual pop-out search: evidence from behavioral and electrophysiological measures. Journal of Vision, 14(3), Article 26. https://doi.org/10.1167/14.3.26
• Eimer, M., & Grubert, A. (2014). Spatial attention can be allocated rapidly and in parallel to new visual objects. Current Biology, 24(2), 193-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2013.12.001
• Grubert, A., Schmid, P., & Krummenacher, J. (2013). Happy with a difference, unhappy with an identity: observers' mood determines processing depth in visual search. Attention, Perception, and Psychophysics, 75(1), 41-52. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13414-012-0385-x
• Kiss, M., Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2013). Top-down task sets for combined features: behavioral and electrophysiological evidence for two stages in attentional object selection. Attention, Perception, and Psychophysics, 75(2), 216-228. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13414-012-0391-z
• Grubert, A., Righi, L., & Eimer, M. (2013). A unitary focus of spatial attention during attentional capture: Evidence from event-related brain potentials. Journal of Vision, 13(3), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1167/13.3.9
• Grubert, A., & Eimer, M. (2013). Qualitative differences in the guidance of attention during single-color and multiple-color visual search: behavioral and electrophysiological evidence. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 39(5), 1433-1442. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031046
• Kiss, M., Grubert, A., Petersen, A., & Eimer, M. (2012). Attentional capture by salient distractors during visual search is determined by temporal task demands. The Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 24(3), 749-759. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_00127
• Grubert, A., Krummenacher, J., & Eimer, M. (2011). Redundancy gains in pop-out visual search are determined by top-down task set: behavioral and electrophysiological evidence. Journal of Vision, 11(14), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1167/11.14.10
• Krummenacher, J., Grubert, A., & Müller, H. (2010). Inter-trial and redundant-signals effects in visual search and discrimination tasks: separable pre-attentive and post-selective effects. Vision Research, 50(14), 1382-1395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2010.04.006
• Sayim, B., Grubert, A., Herzog, M., & Krummenacher, J. (2010). Display probability modulates attentional capture by onset distractors. Journal of Vision, 10(3), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1167/10.3.10