Let me see if I'm understanding you, essentially we're talking about the human propensity for tunnel vision?
If so, maybe I can be mildly useful. Humans can train their object recognition as well as memory by playing what is called a Kims Game. Snipers and people in intelligence often train with this method, the primary function of the kims game is memory, but it also heightens perception of specific things.
You cover an object with a sheet, or usually several objects so that your biological RAM is pretty much at capacity, and then you have to describe all the items under the sheet, bonus points if you have to specifically point at where under the sheet they are.
The recognition part of the Kims Game that is actually useful is that you begin to recognize the shapes very easily using context, even though they are malformed a little bit under the sheet. It's like being able to instinctually know that someone is "printing" a concealed handgun that is in a holster that is not visible. You're so familiar with the shape, that you can extrapolate what it looks like even when altered or concealed. Imagery Analysts learn to do similar things.
Just a thought, I'm new here, and will read more material before spouting off more.