Chapter 7 - Attention

Questions and Answers

What is a prominent feature of neglect?

Visual field deficits

Enhanced spatial awareness

Increased sensory perception

Extinction of contralesional stimuli (correct)

Unilateral spatial neglect is caused by sensory deficits.

False

What are the three main deficits characteristic of Bálint's syndrome?

Difficulty perceiving the visual field as a whole, inability to guide eye movements voluntarily, and difficulty reaching to grab an object.

Attention involves both processes and mechanisms.

top-down, bottom-up Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following models proposes that stimuli are processed equivalently before selection?

Late-selection model Signup and view all the answers

Match the following attentional concepts with their descriptions:

Covert Attention = Attention without eye movements Cocktail Party Effect = Ability to focus on one conversation among many Top-Down Attention = Goal-directed selective attention Bottom-Up Attention = Stimulus-driven reflexive attention Signup and view all the answers

According to early-selection models, a stimulus must be fully analyzed before selection.

False Signup and view all the answers

What type of damage is associated with unilateral spatial neglect?

Damage to the right parietal, temporal, or frontal cortices, or subcortical structures. Signup and view all the answers

What was the duration of the search array displayed on the screen?

700 ms Signup and view all the answers

The white probe elicited a larger sensory-evoked P1 wave when it occurred at the location of an irrelevant target.

False Signup and view all the answers

What do the amplitude modulations of sensory-evoked activity in early visual cortex reflect?

Focused attention Signup and view all the answers

The cue-to-target stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) measures the time between the start of one stimulus and the start of another stimulus, which is also known as the __________.

stimulus interval Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their descriptions:

Valid cue = Indicates the correct location of the target Neutral cue = Indicates no specific direction or location Attended-minus-unattended difference ERPs = Measure of selective attention Feature attention = Attention to specific features like color Signup and view all the answers

In the study, how did the spatial attentional effects change over time?

Built up over time Signup and view all the answers

The direction of motion of the target was indicated by the cues in every trial.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does the larger P1 wave response signify during visual search?

Directed attention to relevant targets Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of attention in the perceptual system?

To limit information to the most relevant elements Signup and view all the answers

Spatial attention can only be moved voluntarily and cannot be reflexively attracted.

False Signup and view all the answers

What metaphor is often used to describe spatial attention?

spotlight Signup and view all the answers

The effects of visuospatial attention tend to be __________ specific.

spatially Signup and view all the answers

During visual search, what types of items were participants instructed to look for?

Either a blue or a green 't' Signup and view all the answers

The red 't's in the visual search task served as main targets.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of flashing the white outlined square during the visual search?

To index the location and strength of spatial attention. Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of attention with its description:

Voluntary Visuospatial Attention = Attention that is directed consciously Reflexive Visuospatial Attention = Attention that is attracted by strong sensory stimuli Visual Search = A process of looking for specific information in a visual field Probe Stimulus = A stimulus used to measure attention effects Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of MT1 in the brain?

Coding motion Signup and view all the answers

The FFA area is more active when the task involves attending to motion rather than faces.

False Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a monkey is required to make a saccadic eye movement towards a stimulus?

The neurons show increased firing to the stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

The __________ is involved in covert attention while maintaining fixation on a target.

LIP Signup and view all the answers

Match the following components of attentional control with their function:

MT1 = Motion processing FFA = Face recognition LGN = Visual processing Pulvinar = Visual attention coordination Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following activities shows spatial selectivity in neurons?

Reaching to stimulus while fixated Signup and view all the answers

The lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) is not involved in visual attention.

True Signup and view all the answers

What type of attention is referred to when stimuli are presented outside of direct gaze?

Ipsilesional attention Signup and view all the answers

Which network is primarily concerned with orienting attention?

Dorsal attention network Signup and view all the answers

The ventral attention network is bilateral and includes structures from both hemispheres.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of attention networks discussed?

Dorsal attention network and ventral attention network Signup and view all the answers

The _____ attention network includes structures such as the superior frontal cortex and inferior parietal cortex.

dorsal Signup and view all the answers

Match the attention networks with their primary functions:

Dorsal attention network = Orienting attention Ventral attention network = Non-spatial aspects of attention Subcortical networks = Visual and sensory alerting Right hemisphere network = Lateralized attentional control Signup and view all the answers

Which brain areas are primarily involved in the dorsal attention network?

Superior frontal cortex and inferior parietal cortex Signup and view all the answers

Stimuli that do not reach conscious perception do not affect sensory receptors.

False Signup and view all the answers

What role does the pulvinar of the thalamus play in attention?

It is part of the subcortical networks involved in attention. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Optic Ataxia and Neglect

Optic ataxia impedes the ability to make visually guided hand movements.
Unilateral spatial neglect arises from damage to right hemisphere regions (parietal, temporal, frontal) and involves diminished attention towards the left side of space.
Neglect is distinguishable from sensory deficits; visual field tests reveal intact sensation.
A significant aspect of neglect is "extinction," where patients fail to notice stimuli on the side opposite the lesion when simultaneous stimuli are present.

Bálint's Syndrome

Characterized by three primary deficits:
- Inability to perceive a complete visual scene.
- Difficulty in voluntarily guiding eye movements.
- Challenges in reaching and grasping objects.

Models of Attention

Attention encompasses both top-down (goal-directed) and bottom-up (stimulus-driven) processes, expressible as overt (conscious) or covert (unconscious).
Early-selection models suggest stimuli can be filtered for processing without detailed perceptual analysis, as proposed by Broadbent.
Late-selection models claim that all inputs undergo similar processing before selection based on semantic relevance.
The perceptual system’s limited capacity can lead to processing bottlenecks; attention serves to reduce information overload.
Spatial attention functions like a "spotlight," moving voluntarily or being attracted by salient stimuli.

Neural Mechanisms

Attention can manifest through voluntary visuospatial guidance, showing effects shortly after stimulus presentation.
Reflexive visuospatial attention can enhance response to relevant stimuli during visual search, supported by event-related potential (ERP) measurement.
When spatial attention is focused, sensory activity in early visual cortex reflects changes based on target relevance during a search task.

Feature and Object Attention

Cues can indicate where to direct attention (spatial) or what features to attend to (feature).
Studies show that attention's impact on perception builds over time, reflected in accuracy differences based on cue validity.
Brain regions such as MT1 for motion and FFA for faces show increased activation when subjects focus on relevant visual features.

Attention Networks

Two distinct fronto-parietal cortical systems exist for directing attentional control:
- Dorsal attention network: Primarily involved in orienting attention, bilateral.
- Ventral attention network: Non-spatial aspects of attention, predominantly right-lateralized.
Subcortical networks, including the superior colliculi and pulvinar of the thalamus, play roles in attentional processes.

Summary and Reflection Questions

Consider whether all stimuli impacting the retina are consciously perceived and what happens to unnoticed stimuli.
Explore whether voluntary intention and reflexive attention share similar neural mechanisms.
Discuss the nature of neglect following brain damage as it relates to perception, attention, or awareness.
Analyze differences in how attention is reflected in activity between visual and parietal cortices and the implications for attentional control versus selection.

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts of optic ataxia and unilateral spatial neglect. It delves into their definitions, underlying mechanisms, and the significance of extinction in neglect cases. Understanding these conditions is crucial for recognizing their impact on visually guided actions.

Chapter 7 - Attention

Questions and Answers

What is a prominent feature of neglect?

Unilateral spatial neglect is caused by sensory deficits.

What are the three main deficits characteristic of Bálint's syndrome?

Attention involves both __________ processes and __________ mechanisms.

Which of the following models proposes that stimuli are processed equivalently before selection?

Match the following attentional concepts with their descriptions:

According to early-selection models, a stimulus must be fully analyzed before selection.

What type of damage is associated with unilateral spatial neglect?

What was the duration of the search array displayed on the screen?

The white probe elicited a larger sensory-evoked P1 wave when it occurred at the location of an irrelevant target.

What do the amplitude modulations of sensory-evoked activity in early visual cortex reflect?

The cue-to-target stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) measures the time between the start of one stimulus and the start of another stimulus, which is also known as the __________.

Match the following terms with their descriptions:

In the study, how did the spatial attentional effects change over time?

The direction of motion of the target was indicated by the cues in every trial.

What does the larger P1 wave response signify during visual search?

What is the primary purpose of attention in the perceptual system?

Spatial attention can only be moved voluntarily and cannot be reflexively attracted.

What metaphor is often used to describe spatial attention?

The effects of visuospatial attention tend to be __________ specific.

During visual search, what types of items were participants instructed to look for?

The red 't's in the visual search task served as main targets.

What was the purpose of flashing the white outlined square during the visual search?

Match the type of attention with its description:

What is the role of MT1 in the brain?

The FFA area is more active when the task involves attending to motion rather than faces.

What happens when a monkey is required to make a saccadic eye movement towards a stimulus?

The __________ is involved in covert attention while maintaining fixation on a target.

Match the following components of attentional control with their function:

Which of the following activities shows spatial selectivity in neurons?

The lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) is not involved in visual attention.

What type of attention is referred to when stimuli are presented outside of direct gaze?

Which network is primarily concerned with orienting attention?

The ventral attention network is bilateral and includes structures from both hemispheres.

What are the two main types of attention networks discussed?

The _____ attention network includes structures such as the superior frontal cortex and inferior parietal cortex.

Match the attention networks with their primary functions:

Which brain areas are primarily involved in the dorsal attention network?

Stimuli that do not reach conscious perception do not affect sensory receptors.

What role does the pulvinar of the thalamus play in attention?

Study Notes

Optic Ataxia and Neglect

Bálint's Syndrome

Models of Attention

Neural Mechanisms

Feature and Object Attention

Attention Networks

Summary and Reflection Questions

Studying That Suits You

Description

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