PS2111 Attention 1 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What type of attention prioritizes areas or objects for action, such as eye movements?

Selective attention

Overt attention

Divided attention

Covert attention (correct)

What is the capacity of verbal short-term memory (STM)?

9 ± 2

11 ± 2

7 ± 2 (correct)

5 ± 2

What is the effect of covert attention on spatial acuity at uncued locations?

It decreases spatial acuity (correct)

It increases spatial acuity

It has no effect on spatial acuity

It only affects spatial acuity at cued locations

What is the purpose of the exogenous cue in the study by Dosher and Lu?

To direct attention to the target location Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of auditory spatial attention in the study by Spence and Driver?

It improves detection at cued locations Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of selective attention on the signal-to-noise ratio?

It increases the signal-to-noise ratio Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of selective attention in auditory perception?

To protect capacity-limited perceptual and post-perceptual resources Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the study by Eramudugolla et al.?

To explore the benefits of auditory spatial attention Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of covert spatial attention on spatial resolution?

It increases spatial resolution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a benefit of selective auditory attention?

It increases acuity of non-spatial judgements (pitch) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between predictive and non-predictive cues in the study by Spence and Driver?

Predictive cues are endogenous, while non-predictive cues are exogenous Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between signal-to-noise ratio and visual perception?

Signal-to-noise ratio can affect visual perception by reducing noise and enhancing signal Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of valid cueing in the study by Spence and Driver?

It increases detection at cued locations Signup and view all the answers

How can age affect signal-to-noise ratio in sensory systems?

Age can degrade signal-to-noise ratio in sensory systems Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of attention on spatial acuity at cued locations?

It increases spatial acuity Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between exogenous and endogenous cues in selective attention?

Exogenous cues are externally driven, while endogenous cues are internally generated Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of selective attention on auditory working memory?

It protects selected items from degradation in auditory working memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between spatial attention and signal-to-noise ratio?

Spatial attention can improve signal-to-noise ratio Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of covert spatial attention in auditory perception?

It increases spatial resolution Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of selective attention in sensory processing?

It filters out irrelevant sensory information Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the need for selection in attention?

Due to the physiological limits imposed by effector systems such as eyes and hands Signup and view all the answers

What determines the spatial resolution of information sampled in a single fixation?

The gradient of visual acuity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which we decide where to fixate?

Guided sequence of eye movements Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between overt and covert attention?

Overt attention involves eye movements, while covert attention does not Signup and view all the answers

What is the main constraint on the type and amount of information observers obtain from the environment?

The physiology of the visual system Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of selective attention?

To prioritize a subset of information Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the brain's capacity for processing information and the need for selection?

The brain's capacity for processing information is limited, so selection is necessary Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between visual and auditory attention?

Visual attention involves eye movements, while auditory attention does not Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that determines what information is prioritized in selective attention?

The relevance of the information to the current task Signup and view all the answers

What is the main consequence of not prioritizing a subset of information in selective attention?

Information overload and decreased performance Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Selective Attention

Definition: The process of prioritizing a subset of information from multiple sensory systems, due to physiological limits imposed by effector systems (e.g., eyes and hands).

Why Do We Need Selection?

Brain receives information from multiple sensory systems, but not all information is relevant at any one time.
Capacity limits associated with neural function and metabolism.

Visual Selective Attention

Physiology of the visual system imposes constraints on the type and amount of information obtained from the environment.
Gradient of visual acuity determines the spatial resolution of information sampled in a single fixation.

Eye Movements and Overt Attention

Eye movements are guided by a sequence of fixations, determining where to focus attention.
Overt attention refers to the physical act of directing attention to a specific location.

Covert Attention

Prioritizes areas or objects for action (e.g., eye movements).
Prioritizes information for analysis and retention.

Post-Perceptual Processes

Working memory: a capacity-limited, temporal store (e.g., verbal STM: 7 ± 2, visual WM: uncued baseline).

Attention and Spatial Acuity

Attention increases spatial acuity at cued locations, and decreases it at uncued locations.
Covert attention mediates changes in spatial acuity in the absence of eye movements.

Attention and Signal-to-Noise

Selective attention includes a "noise-exclusion" mechanism, increasing detection at cued locations by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio.
Attention is more effective in displays with high levels of external noise.

Auditory Selective Attention

Spatial attention can be triggered exogenously or endogenously.
Auditory selective attention increases spatial acuity of auditory localization, increases acuity of non-spatial judgments (pitch), and protects selected items from degradation in auditory working memory.

Summary

Selective attention is a set of processes that protect capacity-limited perceptual and post-perceptual resources.
Shifts of spatial attention can be triggered exogenously or endogenously.
Covert spatial attention increases spatial resolution, increases signal-to-noise ratio, and combines sensory information across modalities.

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Description

This quiz covers the concept of selective attention, including the prioritization of information and the brain's ability to filter out irrelevant sensory inputs. Learn about the importance of selection and how it affects our perception. Test your knowledge on selective attention with this quiz!