Psychology: Attention and Its Types
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Questions and Answers

What term is used when attention is captured involuntarily by a stimulus?

  • Top-Down Processing
  • Bottom-Up Processing
  • Attentional Capture (correct)
  • Covert Attention

What type of processing is influenced by cognitive factors such as goals and expectations?

  • Top-Down Processing (correct)
  • Bottom-Up Processing
  • Covert Attention
  • Attentional Capture

Which type of cue in the Posner Cueing Task provides the fastest reaction time?

  • Invalid Cue
  • Neutral Cue
  • Random Cue
  • Valid Cue (correct)

What does covert attention allow a person to do?

<p>Shift attention without moving the eyes (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario are participants less likely to notice stimuli according to Shinoda et al. (2001)?

<p>In the middle of streets with no signs (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does bottom-up selection differ from top-down selection?

<p>Bottom-up is influenced by stimuli; top-down is driven by goals (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best explains the shift in attention without eye movement?

<p>Covert Attention (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What reaction time pattern was observed in participants during the Posner Cueing Task?

<p>Slowest on invalid trials compared to neutral trials (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes controlled processing compared to automatic processing?

<p>It requires conscious attention and effort. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of selective attention, what happens during the Stroop task?

<p>Participants must inhibit the automatic response to read the word. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When searching for a single feature in a visual search task, what is the primary characteristic?

<p>It becomes automatic and requires minimal effort. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a downside of automatic processing as mentioned in the content?

<p>It limits the ability to find new problem-solving approaches. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which brain activity is associated with conscious thought during controlled processing?

<p>Decreased activity in brain areas. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of distractors in a visual search for a conjunction of features?

<p>They have a dramatic impact on the search time. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes automatic processing?

<p>It can be performed without conscious awareness or effort. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are invalid trials slower for exogenous cues?

<p>They distract participants from the primary task. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the parietal lobe in relation to attention?

<p>Visual search of stimuli (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which network is responsible for inhibiting autonomic responses?

<p>Anterior attention network (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of patients suffering from (hemi)neglect?

<p>They exhibit impaired attention to stimuli in the left visual field (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Treisman and Gelade, which type of processing is faster?

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

What percentage of children is affected by Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) according to Polanczyk et al. (2014)?

<p>0.5% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor may contribute to reduced attentional capacity in patients with neglect?

<p>Damaged bottom-up processing system (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way do patients with neglect process stimuli in the left visual field?

<p>Some processing occurs, but it does not reach conscious awareness (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of ADHD cases in children is accounted for by males according to Wittchen et al. (2011)?

<p>70% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of selective attention?

<p>Focusing on a particular stimulus while ignoring others (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes inattentional blindness?

<p>The failure to process information that is not attended to (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is quoted as saying, 'No one knows what attention is'?

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

Which of the following statements about overt attention is true?

<p>It involves shifting the eyes from one location to another (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does stimulus salience refer to in the context of attention?

<p>A bottom-up process that focuses on the most noticeable features of stimuli (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of attention is characterized by focusing resources on one source of information while disregarding others?

<p>Selective attention (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be a consequence of not using selective attention effectively?

<p>Increased confusion and cognitive overload (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best explains the 'top-down' process in attention?

<p>It is influenced by our prior knowledge and expectations (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Attention

The ability to focus mental resources on something, enabling us to prioritize and manage information.

Selective Attention

The act of consciously focusing on a specific stimulus while ignoring others. This simplifies our experience of the world, allowing us to manage information overload.

Inattentional Blindness

The failure to perceive or process information that is not attended to. This highlights how limited our attention actually is and how much information we miss.

Overt Attention

A type of attention where our eyes physically move to focus on a specific stimulus. This is easily observed by others, and is often used when searching for something.

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Stimulus Salience

A bottom-up process where the attention is drawn to a specific stimulus, usually due to factors like its intensity or size.

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Top-Down Attention

Refers to attention that is controlled by our internal thoughts and goals. It is an active process where we purposefully shift our attention.

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Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A state where it is challenging to maintain attention, often characterized by difficulties with focus and concentration. This can affect everyday tasks and social interactions.

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Neglect

A neuropsychological condition where individuals have difficulties attending to one side of their environment. This can impact everyday activities like reading, writing, and dressing.

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Bottom-Up Processing

Attention is drawn to the stimulus itself, like color, contrast, movement, or sound. This is often involuntary and called 'attentional capture'.

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Top-Down Processing

Our thoughts, goals, and expectations influence what we pay attention to. Our understanding of a scene impacts our eye movements.

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Posner Cueing Task

A task that measures both top-down (goal-driven) and bottom-up (stimulus-driven) attention.

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Endogenous Cue

A cue that suggests where a target might appear, based on your knowledge or goal. For example, a symbol on a computer screen.

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Exogenous Cue

A cue that suggests where a target might appear, based on a sudden sensory change, like a flash of light. For example, a bright flashing light.

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Reaction Time

The time it takes to respond to a target, after being cued to a specific location.

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Neutral Cue

A cue that is unrelated to the target's location. For example, a neutral symbol.

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Posterior Attention Network

A network in the brain that is responsible for directing attention to specific locations in space. It plays a crucial role in visual search and involves the parietal lobe.

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Anterior Attention Network

A network in the brain that controls the direction of attention and inhibits unwanted responses. It involves the frontal lobe and is associated with executive functions.

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Parallel Processing

A type of attention that involves processing multiple stimuli or aspects of a stimulus at the same time. It is often considered fast and efficient.

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Serial Processing

A type of attention that involves processing information sequentially, one item at a time. It is often considered slower and more effortful.

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ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It is often diagnosed in childhood and can persist into adulthood.

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Visual Search

A type of visual search task that involves looking for a target stimulus among a set of distractors. The speed of search is influenced by various factors such as the nature and number of distractors and the features of the target.

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Controlled Processing

A type of cognitive processing that requires conscious effort and attention, making it slower.

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Automatic Processing

A type of cognitive processing that occurs automatically, without conscious effort, and is typically fast.

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Stroop Task

A task where participants are instructed to name the color of ink a word is written in, rather than the word itself, which often leads to interference due to the automatic nature of reading.

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Visual Search - Single Feature vs. Conjunction

In visual search tasks, finding a target with a unique feature is fast and automatic, while searching for a target with a combination of features is slower and requires effort.

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Endogenous vs. Exogenous Cues

Endogenous cues are under our control, while exogenous cues are not. We can't help but respond to exogenous cues, even if they are invalid.

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Visual Search - Single Feature vs. Conjunction (Distractor Impact)

When searching for a target with a single feature, the number of distractors doesn't significantly affect search speed.

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Visual Search - Single Feature vs. Conjunction (Distractor Impact)

When searching for a target with a combination of features, the number of distractors that share a feature with the target significantly impacts search speed.

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Study Notes

Learning Objectives

  • Understand visual attention
  • Define attention
  • Classify types of attention (selective)
  • Explain automatic and controlled processes
  • Discuss attention and the brain
  • Note disorders of attention (neglect, ADHD)

Definition of Attention

  • William James (1980): Attention is the mind's focus on one aspect among several possible options; it involves a withdrawal from other things.
  • Harold Pashler (1988): A debated concept; no universally agreed-upon definition.
  • Another definition: The ability to concentrate mental resources on a specific object or task.

Selective Attention

  • Selective attention involves focusing on particular stimuli while ignoring others.
  • This process simplifies our experience of the world by filtering out irrelevant information.
  • Without it, we would be overwhelmed by the numerous stimuli in our environment.
  • It is beneficial because it allows us choose what stimuli to focus on and what comes next.
  • An example: Dichotic listening task, where individuals are presented with two different messages at the same time, but report only one of these.

Over and Covert Attention

  • Overt attention involves shifts of eye movement.
  • Covert attention involves shifting attention without moving the eyes.

Stimulus Salience

  • Bottom-up, stimulus-driven attention is triggered by noticeable aspects of a stimulus (e.g., colour, contrast, movement, or sound).
  • It's often involuntary (e.g., an unexpected loud noise catches our attention).
  • This can be helpful for safety reasons.

Top-Down Processing

  • Top-down processing involves cognitive factors affecting attention (e.g., goals, expectations, and knowledge).
  • These can influence our perception of the environment and what aspects to focus on.
  • Our prior knowledge shapes and quickens our processing of information.
  • Our expectations heavily influence our focus.

Inattentional Blindness

  • Inattentional blindness is the failure to perceive an unexpected stimulus because it is unattended.

Attention and the Brain: Cueing Tasks

  • Posner cueing tasks measure attentional selection.
  • Valid cues help participants respond faster than neutral or invalid cues.
  • Endogenous cues (top-down) guide our attention based on goals.
  • Exogenous cues (bottom-up) capture attention based on salient stimuli.

Automatic vs. Controlled Processing

  • Controlled processing requires conscious effort and attention.
  • Automatic processing occurs unconsciously and is often faster.
  • Familiar tasks become automatic through practice.

The Stroop Effect

  • In selective attention tasks, the Stroop effect shows the difficulty in ignoring the irrelevant stimulus (e.g., reading a color word printed in a different color).
  • Relevant tasks may be difficult to perform because the automatic response from a relevant task takes over.
  • Feature search is rapid, efficient, and automatic.
  • Conjunction search is slow, effortful, and controlled.
  • The impact of distractors and the nature of a search can impact how quickly that attentional process takes place.

Attentional Disorders

  • Hemi-neglect: A disorder where stimuli presented on the opposite side of the brain damage are not processed or recognized (degraded visual or auditory information, such as pictures or noises).
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Characterized by inattentiveness and hyperactivity, impacting focus and impulsivity, often associated with early diagnosis.

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Cognitive Psychology Lecture Notes on Attention <3 PDF

Description

This quiz focuses on the concept of attention in psychology, exploring its definitions, types, and the relationship with brain functions. Key topics include selective attention, automatic vs. controlled processes, and attention disorders like ADHD. Test your understanding of how attention shapes our perception and experience.

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