COGPSY230 Unit 3: Attention

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of attention as described in the content?

To enhance sensory detection beyond normal capacity

To ignore irrelevant information entirely

To remember all details from every sensory input

To actively process a limited amount of information (correct)

Which outcome indicates the correct identification of a target stimulus?

HITS (correct)

CORRECT REJECTION

MISS

FALSE ALARM

In the scenario of screening the 9/11 hijackers at the airport, which term best describes the failure to identify the presence of a threat?

MISS (correct)

FALSE ALARM

CORRECT REJECTION

HIT

What does a FALSE ALARM indicate in terms of detecting a stimulus?

An absence of a target was identified as present Signup and view all the answers

How do metal detectors relate to the concept of signal detection?

They serve as a means to detect the presence of a target Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes a CORRECT REJECTION?

The absence of a target stimulus is correctly identified Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the four main functions of attention mentioned in this unit?

Signal detection and vigilance Signup and view all the answers

What can influence our ability to pay attention, according to the content?

Both B and C Signup and view all the answers

What does the filter in selective attention primarily do?

Weakens the strength of non-target stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

In Broadbent's model of selective attention, where does the filter operate?

At the sensory level, right after noticing the information. Signup and view all the answers

According to the late-filter model proposed by Deutsch and Deutsch, when are stimuli filtered out?

Only after they have been analyzed for their physical properties and meaning. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of divided attention?

The ability to coordinate several tasks to achieve an overall goal. Signup and view all the answers

What does vigilance refer to in the context of attention?

The capacity to attend to stimuli over a prolonged period. Signup and view all the answers

What is spatial neglect characterized by?

An attentional dysfunction affecting awareness of one side of space. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Broadbent's model of information processing?

Information is filtered right after it is noticed based on sensory characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of selective attention?

To focus on some stimuli while ignoring others. Signup and view all the answers

Divided attention primarily refers to what?

Allocating attentional resources to manage multiple tasks. Signup and view all the answers

How does selective attention influence perception?

It enhances the perception of the target stimuli while reducing others. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the 'bottleneck' play in information processing according to attentional theories?

It slows down the processing of all incoming information. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'signal-detection theory' explain?

How individuals select certain signals from irrelevant stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Cocktail Party Effect'?

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

What did Anne Treisman propose in her Attenuation Model?

That some information from unattended signals is analyzed. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of attention, what does 'dichotic presentation' involve?

Hearing two different messages simultaneously, one in each ear. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main challenge of search tasks in relation to distracters?

They can divert attention away from the target stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common result of unilateral lesions in the parietal and frontal lobes?

Visual neglect Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

Maternal smog Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes automatic processes in cognitive tasks?

They rely on predefined rules and algorithms. Signup and view all the answers

Children with the inattentive type of ADHD are likely to...

Be easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

Change blindness refers to...

An inability to detect changes in viewed objects. Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive activity is NOT a characteristic of controlled processes?

They can function without human intervention. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cognitive processing might lead a child with ADHD to misread instructions?

Automatic processing Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom among children with inattentive ADHD?

Frequent careless mistakes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Attention Overview

Attention is the process of actively filtering a limited amount of information from a larger pool of sensory input, stored memories, and cognitive processes.
Detecting target stimuli results in four outcomes: Hits, False Alarms, Misses, and Correct Rejections.

Four Main Functions of Attention

Signal Detection and Vigilance: The ability to detect specific stimuli within a range of distractions.
Search: An active effort to find a particular stimulus in the environment, often complicated by distractors.
Selective Attention: The choice to focus on certain stimuli while ignoring others; exemplified by the Cocktail Party Effect, where individuals concentrate on a single conversation amidst a backdrop of noise.
Divided Attention: The ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously by allocating attention wisely among them.

Theories of Selective Attention

Signal-detection Theory: A framework explaining how important stimuli are identified in the presence of distractions.
Broadbent's Model: Proposes a filter at the sensory level, allowing only one channel of sensory information to be processed while blocking out others.
Attenuation Model (Anne Treisman): Suggests that instead of completely blocking irrelevant stimuli, attention weakens their influence.
Late-Filter Model (Deutsch and Deutsch): Filters stimuli after their physical and semantic processing.

Factors Influencing Attention

Anxiety: Heightened anxiety can impair attention and focus.
Arousal: The level of alertness can greatly affect attention capacity.
Task Difficulty: Challenging tasks may demand more focused attention.
Skill Level: Proficiency in a task can enhance attentional efficiency.

Spatial Neglect

A condition where individuals ignore one half of their visual field, typically due to right hemisphere brain damage, affecting awareness and attention.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Linked to maternal behaviors (smoking, drinking), lead exposure, brain injuries, and differences in brain circuitry involving dopamine.
Characterized by distractibility, carelessness, difficulty following instructions, and a tendency to forget essential materials.

Automatic vs. Controlled Processes

Automatic Processes: Routine actions performed without conscious thought, relying on pre-set rules or algorithms.
Controlled Processes: Intentional cognitive activities requiring conscious awareness and effort.

Change Blindness

A phenomenon where individuals fail to notice significant changes occurring in their visual field, highlighting limitations in attentional focus.

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Description

This quiz covers Unit 3 of COGPSY230, focusing on the concept of attention. Explore the four main functions of attention and understand the factors that influence our ability to detect target stimuli. Assess your knowledge through various outcomes like hits, false alarms, and misses.