Who is credited with developing the feature integration model of attention?

The feature integration model of attention is primarily credited to Anne Treisman. This model proposes that when we perceive objects, we first process their individual features (such as color, shape, and size) in a pre-attentive stage, which occurs automatically and effortlessly. Once these features are identified, attention is then required to combine them into a coherent perception of a single object during the attentive stage. Treisman’s model helped to elucidate how attention works in visual perception and how we can selectively focus on particular objects while filtering out distractions.

Understanding this model is essential in cognitive psychology as it integrates concepts of perception and attention, demonstrating how they interact in the visual processing system. While other theorists like James, Broadbent, and Kahneman have made significant contributions to our understanding of attention, it is Treisman’s specific work that defines and elaborates on the feature integration model, making her the correct answer to the question.