Psychology Chapter 4: Attention and Consciousness

Questions and Answers

According to Anne Treisman, there are two stages involved when we perceive ______.

objects

In the easily filter model, all incoming information is stored in sensory memory for a split second and then is processed based on ______, pitch, or accent.

loudness

The attenuation model suggests that the filter attenuates the strength of all stimuli other than the ______ stimulus.

target

The selective filter model blocks out most information at the sensory level but allows ______ important messages to get through.

personally Signup and view all the answers

Preattentive processes are ______ and occur in parallel, focusing solely on physical sensory characteristics.

automatic Signup and view all the answers

Signal detection theory (SDT) is used to measure sensitivity to a target’s ______.

presence Signup and view all the answers

Attention is the means by which we actively select and process a limited amount of information from all of the information captured by our senses, our stored memories, and our other cognitive processes, known as ______.

consciousness Signup and view all the answers

Vigilance refers to a person's ability to attend to a field of stimulation over a prolonged period while seeking to detect the appearance of a particular ______.

target stimulus Signup and view all the answers

Feature search involves looking for just one ______ that makes our search object different from others.

feature Signup and view all the answers

Feature integration theory explains why it is relatively easy to conduct feature searches and relatively ______ to conduct conjunction searches.

difficult Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Attention

Attention allows active selection and processing of limited information from sensory inputs, memories, and cognitive processes.
Consciousness encompasses awareness and its content, often related to attentional focus.

Signal Detection Theory (SDT)

SDT explains how people identify important stimuli amidst distractions.
Key terms include:
- Hit: Correctly detecting a signal.
- False alarm: Incorrectly detecting a signal when none is present.
- Miss: Failing to detect a present signal.
- Correct rejection: Accurately identifying the absence of a signal.

Vigilance and Search

Vigilance refers to sustained attention over time to detect specific stimuli.
Active search involves scanning the environment for specific features, often challenged by distracters.
Feature search is easier as it focuses on a single characteristic (e.g., color).
Conjunction search combines multiple features, making it more challenging.

Feature Integration Theory

Proposed by Anne Treisman, explaining easier feature searches vs. difficult conjunction searches.
Suggests similar targets and distracters complicate detection.

Selective Attention Models

Shadowing: Listening to different messages in each ear (dichotic presentation).
Filter Models:
- Easily Filter Model: Temporary sensory memory that forwards a message after a quick selection based on physical characteristics.
- Selective Filter Model: Blocks most information but allows important messages through.
- Attenuation Model: Weakens unattended signals rather than blocking them completely.
- Late Filter Model: Analyzes physical properties and meanings before filtering out stimuli.
- Synthesis Model (Uric Neisser): Involves preattentive processes for initial physical detection and attentive processes for detailed analysis.

Capacity Models of Attention

Attention is perceived as a fixed resource that can be allocated to various tasks.
Two models exist:
- Single pool of attention for free allocation.
- Multiple attentional sources specific to different modalities (e.g., auditory, visual).

Factors Affecting Attention

Influences include anxiety, task difficulty, arousal (e.g., tiredness, excitement), and skills.

Subfunctions of Attention

Alerting: Preparing to respond to incoming events.
Orienting: Selecting which stimuli to attend to during visual searches.
Executive Attention: Managing internal conflicts among thoughts and feelings.

Attention Deficits

ADHD features inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness, categorized into:
- Hyperactive-impulsive type.
- Inattentive type (ADD).
- Combination type (ADHD).
Symptoms include distractibility, lack of attention to detail, and difficulty in task completion.

Inattentional and Change Blindness

Change blindness is failing to notice changes in objects or scenes.
Inattentional blindness involves missing objects that are present.

Spatial Neglect

A dysfunction where individuals ignore one half of their visual field due to brain lesions.

Automatic vs. Controlled Processes

Automatic Processes: Require no conscious control, quick and can occur simultaneously (e.g., writing name).
Controlled Processes: Demand conscious attention, occur sequentially, and are influenced by practice (automatization/proceduralization).
Stroop Effect: Challenges automatic reading when it interferes with color identification.

Priming and Memory

Priming involves an initial stimulus influencing perception of a subsequent stimulus.
Tip of the tongue phenomenon refers to difficulty retrieving stored memories.

Blindsight

Refers to the ability to process visual information in areas of blindness without conscious awareness.

Description

Explore the key concepts of attention and consciousness in this chapter quiz. Understand how we select and process information from our senses and cognitive processes. Test your knowledge on the feelings of awareness and their implications in psychology.