Attentional Engagement and Disengagement: Quantifying Attentional Shifts Utilizing the Steady State Visual Evoked Potentials

A large body of ssVEP research has provided significant insights into the temporal dynamics of attentional processes. While these studies focused primarily on group level inspection, there is a need for further research employing methodological approaches that enable the examination of individual-level variability. This is particularly relevant in psychological contexts, where such measures are linked to various cognitive and clinical outcomes. In the present study, we aimed to measure and discern attentional shift processes, examining both group and individual subject dynamics. We utilized EEG frequency tagging to examine attentional engagement, disengagement, and reengagement while participants switched focus between four flickering stimuli. Analysis of ssVEPs revealed significant changes in amplitude between attentional conditions. Specifically, group-level results indicated an increase in activity during engagement with the first target, followed by a decrease upon disengagement, while reengagement with the second target showed a corresponding increase in activity occurring on average 110 ms prior to disengagement. Distinct individual patterns emerged, with participants showing either disengagement, reengagement, both, or no shifts. Notably, the timing and order of these attentional shifts varied considerably across individuals relative to target switch events. These findings demonstrate the ability of this approach to quantify attentional shifts on both group and individual levels, providing a foundation for further research into individual differences in attentional control, which may have implications for understanding adaptive and maladaptive psychological functioning. HighlightsO_LIEEG frequency tagging captures attentional engagement, disengagement, and reengagement processes. C_LIO_LIGroup-level ssVEP analysis reveals that attentional reengagement occurs 110 ms before attentional disengagement. C_LIO_LIIndividual-level analysis demonstrates diverse patterns of attentional shift timing and order. C_LIO_LIThe experimental framework successfully quantifies attentional dynamics on the group and individual levels. C_LI