COGPSY230 Unit 3 Attention Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does vigilance refer to in the context of attention?

The ability to ignore distractions entirely.

The ability to recognize familiar stimuli quickly.

The ability to switch attention rapidly between tasks.

The ability to attend to a field of stimulation over a prolonged period. (correct)

Which term describes the process of selecting certain stimuli to focus on while ignoring others?

Selective Attention (correct)

Signal Detection

Vigilance

Divided Attention

How does divided attention function in terms of task performance?

By increasing the ability to detect non-target stimuli.

By eliminating the need for multitasking.

By allocating attentional resources to manage multiple tasks. (correct)

By enhancing focus on a single task.

What is the purpose of the shadowing task developed by Cherry?

To study selective attention by presenting different messages to each ear. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Attenuation Model proposed by Anne Treisman suggest?

Some information from unattended signals is still analyzed. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Signal Detection Theory?

It describes how people distinguish target stimuli from distractors. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four possible outcomes when detecting a target stimulus?

Hits, False Alarms, Misses, Correct Rejections Signup and view all the answers

What does the Cocktail Party Effect exemplify?

The ability to focus on one conversation in a noisy environment. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about distractors is accurate?

Distractors divert attention away from target stimuli, making search more difficult. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes a 'Hit' in attention theory?

Correct identification of the presence of a target Signup and view all the answers

What could be considered a common factor that influences our ability to pay attention?

Emotional state at the time of attention Signup and view all the answers

Which situation represents a 'False Alarm' in signal detection?

Incorrectly identifying a target that is absent Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by 'Miss' in the context of attention?

Failing to identify a target that is present Signup and view all the answers

How does attention primarily function according to the discussed outcomes?

By filtering out irrelevant information while focusing on limited data Signup and view all the answers

Which describes a 'Correct Rejection' outcome in attention?

Correctly identifying that a target is absent Signup and view all the answers

In the context of signal detection, what does the term 'Vigilance' refer to?

The awareness and focus to detect target signals over time Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the attentional filter in Broadbent's model?

To weaken other stimuli while allowing one to pass through Signup and view all the answers

In the late-filter model proposed by Deutsch and Deutsch, when are stimuli filtered?

After being processed for both meaning and physical properties Signup and view all the answers

What does divided attention refer to?

The capability to allocate attentional resources for multiple tasks Signup and view all the answers

Which model suggests that stimuli pass through the filter right after sensory detection?

Broadbent's model Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT mentioned as influencing our ability to pay attention?

Focus on physical properties Signup and view all the answers

What happens to stimuli that are filtered out according to Broadbent’s model?

They may never reach the level of perception Signup and view all the answers

How does the bottleneck model describe information processing?

It slows down the information passing through Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic used to distinguish multiple sensory channels in Broadbent's model?

The loudness or pitch of the stimuli Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is primarily implicated in unilateral lesions that cause visual field neglect?

Right hemisphere of the parietal lobe Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom of children with the inattentive type of ADHD?

Easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves tasks executed without constant human involvement?

Automatic processing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT associated with ADHD?

Regular exercise Signup and view all the answers

What does change blindness refer to?

The inability to detect changes in objects or scenes Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily affected by differences in dopamine regulation in children with ADHD?

Attention and impulse control Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics is associated with controlled processing?

Conscious awareness activation Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom reflects a common challenge faced by children with ADHD concerning task management?

Frequent distraction leading to unfinished tasks Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Attention

Mechanism for actively processing limited information from vast sensory input and cognitive processes.
Outcomes when detecting target stimuli: hits, false alarms, misses, correct rejections.

Four Main Functions of Attention

Signal Detection and Vigilance: Focus on identifying specific stimuli amidst distractions.
Search: Engaging actively in looking for particular stimuli.
Selective Attention: Choosing specific stimuli to focus on while ignoring others.
Divided Attention: Managing multiple tasks simultaneously by allocating attentional resources efficiently.

Signal Detection Theory

Framework explaining how people identify important stimuli from distractions.

Selective Attention

Cocktail Party Effect: Focusing on one conversation amid several others.
Shadowing: Listening to and processing two different messages simultaneously via dichotic presentation.

Theories of Selective Attention

Attenuation Model (Anne Treisman): Suggests weak filtering of non-target stimuli rather than complete blockage, allowing some unattended information analysis.
Broadbent's Model: Early filtering at sensory input level based on physical properties (e.g., loudness, pitch) before reaching perception.
Late-Filter Model (Deutsch and Deutsch): Filters stimuli after analysis of both physical properties and meaning, allowing additional processing before selection.

Factors Influencing Attention

Anxiety: Can decrease attention span and focus.
Arousal: Levels of alertness affect attentional capacity.
Task Difficulty: More complex tasks demand greater focus and resources.
Skill: Higher proficiency can improve attention management.

Spatial Neglect

Attentional dysfunction resulting in ignoring half of the visual field opposite the brain hemisphere with damage (common in right hemisphere lesions).

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Factors contributing to ADHD: maternal substance use during pregnancy, lead exposure, brain injury, food additives, dopamine regulation disparities.
Symptoms in inattentive ADHD type: easily distracted, careless mistakes, incomplete task completion, and tendency to misplace necessary items.

Automatic and Controlled Processes

Automatic Processing: Task performance without conscious involvement, using predefined rules or algorithms.
Controlled Processing: Conscious and intentional cognitive activities requiring focused attention.

Change Blindness

Inability to notice changes in objects or scenes being observed, highlighting limitations in visual attention.

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Description

Test your understanding of attention in psychology with this quiz based on Unit 3 of the COGPSY230 course. Explore the four possible outcomes of detecting a target stimulus and examine the main functions and influencing factors of attention. Perfect for students preparing for prelim exams!