Surreal illustration representing the concept of multiple object awareness with overlapping transparent objects.

Beyond Object Tracking: How Our Brains 'Know' More Than We Think

Reese Marlowe in Mind & Education December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals a broader form of awareness, suggesting our brains retain imprecise knowledge of multiple objects, enhancing our interaction with the world."

Imagine trying to keep tabs on several moving objects at once. Tasks like multiple object tracking (MOT), where you follow specific items amidst distractors, highlight the brain's impressive, yet limited, perceptual skills. Standard tracking tasks suggest we can only accurately monitor a few items at a time.

But what if our brains are doing more than we realize? Traditional methods might underestimate our true capacity by only crediting precise knowledge. New research suggests our brains retain a form of 'imperfect knowledge' about object locations, a concept known as multiple object awareness (MOA).

This article explores the groundbreaking findings of Wu and Wolfe, who demonstrate that our capacity for MOA far exceeds classic object tracking limits. We'll delve into the concept of imprecise knowledge, its role in guiding our interactions, and the implications for understanding the dynamic visual world.

Unveiling Multiple Object Awareness: Beyond Precise Tracking

Surreal illustration representing the concept of multiple object awareness with overlapping transparent objects.

The key innovation in understanding MOA lies in how knowledge is measured. Unlike traditional tracking tasks that demand precise identification, MOA acknowledges the value of approximate knowledge. In Wu and Wolfe's experiments, participants tracked moving objects and were then asked to locate a specific target. Crucially, instead of a single attempt, participants could click repeatedly until they found the target.

This approach allowed researchers to capture instances where participants had a general idea of the target's location, even if not perfectly accurate. The results were striking: MOA capacity was significantly higher – at least double – compared to classic multiple object tracking capacity.

MOA Acknowledges Imprecise Knowledge: MOA recognizes that knowing 'the cow is somewhere over there' is valuable information, even if the exact location is unknown.
Degrading Information Over Time: Partial knowledge degrades over time, yet it still proves useful and can guide search.
MOA vs. Classic Tracking: MOA provides a more realistic measure of human object tracking ability.

To account for these findings, the researchers developed a model in which spatial uncertainty grows over time. When an item is first attended to, its location is known reasonably well. However, as attention shifts to other items, the precision of the initial location degrades, creating a 'window of imprecision' around the object. The size of this window increases with time, eventually leading to complete uncertainty.

The Bigger Picture: Implications for Real-World Awareness

The MOA paradigm offers a more nuanced understanding of our perceptual abilities. It highlights that even imperfect knowledge plays a crucial role in navigating our environment and interacting with multiple objects.

Consider a quarterback scanning the field. They likely possess an imprecise awareness of numerous players, exceeding the limits of traditional tracking models. This broader awareness, guided by scene properties and contextual cues, allows for rapid decision-making and effective action.

By acknowledging the value of imprecise knowledge, MOA provides a more comprehensive framework for understanding attention, visual tracking, and our dynamic interplay with the world around us. This research may inspire new approaches to understanding cognitive capabilities.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.08.042, Alternate LINK

Title: A New Multiple Object Awareness Paradigm Shows That Imperfect Knowledge Of Object Location Is Still Knowledge

Subject: General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Journal: Current Biology

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Chia-Chien Wu, Jeremy M. Wolfe

Published: 2018-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is multiple object awareness (MOA), and how does it differ from classic object tracking?

Multiple object awareness (MOA) is a broader form of awareness where the brain retains imprecise knowledge of multiple objects. This differs from classic multiple object tracking (MOT), which emphasizes precise tracking. MOA acknowledges the value of approximate knowledge, such as knowing an object's general location even if the exact position is unknown. It moves beyond the limitations of traditional tracking tasks by recognizing that even imperfect information can be useful in navigating the environment.

Why is the research by Wu and Wolfe significant?

Wu and Wolfe's research is significant because it reveals that our brains can track multiple objects, even with imperfect information, a concept termed multiple object awareness (MOA). Their findings show that the capacity for MOA is significantly higher than classic multiple object tracking (MOT). The implications of this research are far-reaching, suggesting that our brains are more capable than previously thought. By recognizing the importance of imprecise knowledge, the research offers a more realistic view of how we interact with the dynamic visual world.

Why is multiple object awareness (MOA) important for understanding the dynamic visual world?

In the context of the dynamic visual world, multiple object awareness (MOA) is crucial because it enables us to interact effectively with numerous objects simultaneously. Even when our knowledge is imprecise, it provides valuable guidance. For example, if you're searching for an item, the general knowledge of its location, facilitated by MOA, can help narrow the search area. This is especially important when dealing with constantly moving objects and shifting scenes, as it keeps us aware of the bigger picture, even when detailed information isn't available.

What are the key differences between multiple object tracking (MOT) and multiple object awareness (MOA)?

The key difference is in how they measure and utilize knowledge. Classic multiple object tracking (MOT) focuses on precise knowledge of an object's location. If there is no precise knowledge, it is considered a failure. Multiple object awareness (MOA) acknowledges the value of imprecise knowledge. MOA allows for multiple clicks to identify where an object is located and acknowledges that knowing 'the cow is somewhere over there' is useful information, even if the exact location is unknown. MOA offers a more realistic measure of human object tracking ability.

How does the brain handle imprecise knowledge about the location of an object over time, according to the research?

According to the model developed by Wu and Wolfe, spatial uncertainty grows over time. When an item is first attended to, its location is known reasonably well. However, as attention shifts to other items, the precision of the initial location degrades, creating a 'window of imprecision' around the object. The size of this window increases with time, eventually leading to complete uncertainty. This model explains how our brains can retain partial knowledge about objects even as our attention shifts, highlighting the dynamic nature of MOA.