6 Questions
What is the primary mechanism by which the brain processes information in the context of selective attention?
The brain selectively filters out irrelevant information
What is the term used to describe the ability to maintain focus on a task over a prolonged period of time?
Vigilance
What is the primary factor that influences an individual's ability to process multiple sources of information simultaneously?
Task similarity
According to Broadbent's filter model, what is the primary function of attention in attentional filtering?
To selectively attend to certain information while ignoring other information
What is the term used to describe the depletion of attentional resources over time?
Mental fatigue
What is the primary difference between early selection theory and late selection theory in the context of selective attention?
The timing of attentional filtering
Study Notes
Cognitive Psychology Attention
Selective Attention
- The ability to focus on a specific stimulus or task while ignoring other irrelevant information
- Key concept: filtering, where the brain selectively processes certain information and filters out others
- Examples:
- Focusing on a conversation in a noisy room
- Ignoring background noise while studying
- Theories:
- Early selection theory: attention is applied early in the processing stream, before information is fully processed
- Late selection theory: attention is applied late in the processing stream, after information is fully processed
Sustained Attention
- The ability to maintain focus on a task over a prolonged period of time
- Also known as vigilance
- Key concept: mental fatigue, where attentional resources are depleted over time
- Examples:
- Focusing on a long, complex task
- Monitoring a radar screen for hours
- Factors that influence sustained attention:
- Task demands: more complex tasks require more attentional resources
- Motivation: high motivation can improve sustained attention
Divided Attention
- The ability to process multiple sources of information simultaneously
- Key concept: attentional resources, where the brain allocates resources to process multiple tasks
- Examples:
- Multitasking (e.g., texting while watching TV)
- Performing multiple tasks simultaneously (e.g., typing while talking)
- Factors that influence divided attention:
- Task similarity: similar tasks are easier to process simultaneously
- Task complexity: more complex tasks require more attentional resources
Attentional Filtering
- The process of selectively attending to certain information while ignoring other information
- Key concept: sensory gating, where the brain filters out irrelevant sensory information
- Examples:
- Ignoring irrelevant sounds while listening to a conversation
- Filtering out irrelevant visual stimuli while driving
- Theories:
- Broadbent's filter model: attention acts as a filter to select relevant information
- Treisman's attenuation model: attention reduces the strength of irrelevant information
Test your knowledge on cognitive psychology, focusing on attention, including selective, sustained, divided attention, and attentional filtering. Learn about the key concepts, theories, and examples of attention in psychology.
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