Cognitive Psychology Chapter on Attention

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Questions and Answers

What is the term for the ability to focus on one auditory message while being aware of other surrounding messages?

  • Selective attention (correct)
  • Top-down processing
  • Bottom-up processing
  • Working memory

People can effectively process multiple auditory messages in detail at the same time.

False (B)

What should designers avoid when presenting information to ensure effective processing?

Presenting a large quantity of information in a short time.

The ______ of selective attention can be directed inwardly to mental activities such as rehearsal and problem solving.

<p>spotlight</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

<p>Bottom-up processing = Analysis starting from sensory input Top-down processing = Interpretation based on prior knowledge Working memory limitations = Restriction in the amount of information processed at one time Usability testing guidelines = Recommendations for effective user interaction design</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of working memory?

<p>Temporarily holding and manipulating information (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Perception only involves bottom-up processing.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of optimizing bottom-up processing?

<p>Using more vivid colors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is feature analysis?

<p>The process of breaking down complex stimuli into component parts or features.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the model of human information processing, ________ recognition involves comparing incoming stimulus information with stored knowledge.

<p>perceptual</p> Signup and view all the answers

Top-down processing becomes more efficient with a larger vocabulary.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their respective characteristics:

<p>Bottom-up processing = Starts with sensory input and builds up to perception Top-down processing = Guided by existing knowledge and expectations Working memory = Short-term storage and manipulation of information Feature analysis = Breaking down stimuli into individual features</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main limitation of transferring information from the sensory register to working memory?

<p>Only a very limited amount of information can be brought at once.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to information in working memory if it is not rehearsed?

<p>It decays rapidly (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Selective attention can be compared to a __________ that narrows in on certain objects or information.

<p>spotlight</p> Signup and view all the answers

Selective attention allows individuals to focus on one stimulus while ignoring others.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following processing types to their descriptions:

<p>Bottom-up processing = Processing based on incoming sensory information Top-down processing = Processing influenced by prior knowledge and context Selective attention = Focusing on a subset of information Working memory = Temporary storage for active information</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should designers avoid when testing the usability of icons?

<p>Conducting tests in isolation from context (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define working memory limitations.

<p>The constraint on the amount of information that can be actively held and processed at one time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The sensory register can hold visual information for about 5 seconds.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'context effects' in usability testing?

<p>Context effects refer to the environmental and task-related factors that influence recognition and comprehension.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Stimulus Quality Degradation

As the quality of a stimulus (e.g., text, image) decreases, the need for context and redundancy increases to maintain high recognition levels.

Top-Down Processing

Using prior knowledge and context to interpret incoming sensory information.

Bottom-Up Processing

Relies on sensory data alone to recognize a stimulus.

Selective Attention

The cognitive process of focusing on specific aspects of sensory input while ignoring others.

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Sensory Register

A temporary storage system for sensory information.

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Working Memory Capacity

The limited amount of information that can be held and processed at any given time.

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Usability Testing (Icons)

Testing the recognition of icons must include the environmental and task context.

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Trade-offs in Design

Balancing bottom-up and top-down processing considerations when designing displays.

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Auditory Attention

The ability to focus on one sound source while ignoring others.

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Selective Attention (Auditory)

Focusing on one auditory message while others are lightly perceived.

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Cognitive Overload

Presenting too much information at once, causing difficulty processing.

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Limited Processing

People can only process a limited amount of information at once.

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Display Design & Attention

Critical information should be highlighted on displays to grab attention.

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Working Memory

A short-term information store actively processed. It's like a mental workspace for tasks like comparing and transforming information.

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Information Decay

Information in working memory disappears quickly without rehearsal.

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Perceptual Recognition

Matching sensory input to stored knowledge to understand it.

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Feature Analysis

Breaking down complex stimuli into smaller, identifiable parts.

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Text Perception

Recognizing letters and words based on their features.

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Cognitive Process

Mental processes enabling acquiring, processing, storing, retrieving, and using information

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Human Factors Design(Perception)

Designing systems or displays to maximize human efficiency and safety. Focus is on how humans perceive, recognize, and process information.

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Sensory Input Transformation

Processing sensory information into mental representations such as concepts or images.

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Study Notes

Selective Attention

  • The ability to focus on one auditory message while being aware of other surrounding messages is called selective attention.
  • People can effectively process multiple auditory messages in detail at the same time.
  • Designers should avoid presenting information that is too complex, cluttered, or overwhelming to ensure effective processing.
  • The focus of selective attention can be directed inwardly to mental activities such as rehearsal and problem solving.

Matching Concepts with Descriptions

Concept Description
Working memory The primary function of working memory is to hold information temporarily while it is being processed.
Perception Perception involves both bottom-up and top-down processing.
Optimizing bottom-up processing An example of optimizing bottom-up processing is using clear and contrasting visual stimuli to make information easier to perceive.
Feature analysis Feature analysis is the process of breaking down a stimulus into its basic features and then comparing them to stored representations in memory.
Pattern recognition Pattern recognition involves comparing incoming stimulus information with stored knowledge.
Top-down processing Top-down processing becomes more efficient with a larger vocabulary.

Working Memory

  • The main limitation of transferring information from the sensory register to working memory is the limited capacity of working memory.
  • If information in working memory is not rehearsed, it will be lost from working memory.
  • Selective attention can be compared to a spotlight that narrows in on certain objects or information.
  • Selective attention allows individuals to focus on one stimulus while ignoring others.

Matching Processing Types to Descriptions

Processing Type Description
Bottom-up processing This type of processing starts with the sensory input and works its way up to the higher levels of cognitive processing.
Top-down processing This type of processing starts with the higher levels of cognitive processing and then influences the interpretation of sensory input.

Usability Testing

  • When testing the usability of icons, designers should avoid using icons that are too abstract, unfamiliar, or confusing. |
  • Working memory limitations refer to the limited amount of information that can be held in working memory at any given time. |
  • The sensory register can hold visual information for about half a second, not 5 seconds.
  • 'Context effects' in usability testing refer to the influence of the surrounding environment or situation on the user's performance and experience.

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