Textons pop out before attention even arrives

Correct: B — Differences in elementary texture units (textons) such as orientation, color, and line-end pop out

Julesz (1981) proposed that visual texture is decomposed pre-attentively into 'textons' — elementary units defined by orientation, color, contrast, line-end terminators, and closure. Differences in first-order texton statistics produce instant figure–ground segregation; second-order differences (e.g., the same elements in different spatial arrangements) require focused attention. This framework explained why a slanted line among vertical lines pops out instantly while a 'T' among 'L's typically does not — even though both displays differ in orientation of components. The distinction set the stage for later parallel-vs.-serial models of visual search and Treisman's feature-integration theory.