Which theory posits a two-stage process for analyzing and combining features of objects?

The correct answer is feature integration theory. This theory, developed by Anne Treisman and her colleagues, proposes that object perception occurs in two distinct stages. In the first stage, referred to as the preattentive stage, the visual system automatically processes the basic features of objects, such as color, shape, and orientation, without the need for focused attention. This allows the brain to create a map of features in the visual field.

In the second stage, the focused attention stage, these individual features are combined to form a coherent perception of the object. This process involves directing attention to specific areas in the visual field to integrate the processed features into a single object-like perception. If attention is not properly allocated during this stage, it can lead to errors in object recognition or feature misbinding, where features from different objects might be incorrectly combined.

The other theories listed do not specifically focus on the two-stage process of feature analysis and combination as described by feature integration theory. Change detection relates to noticing differences in visual scenes, inattentional blindness deals with failing to notice unexpected events due to not focusing attention, and preattentive processing, while part of feature integration, does not encompass the entire two-stage mechanism of combining features into object perception.