Understanding Attention in Psychology

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Questions and Answers

Which type of processing occurs when you need to effortfully find something among distractors?

Parallel processing

Focused processing

Serial processing (correct)

Covert processing

What does Treisman’s theory propose about unattended information?

It is completely filtered out.

It is attenuated after initial sensory processing. (correct)

It is fully processed semantically.

It is only noticed by the listener.

Inattentional blindness refers to the difficulty in noticing changes when dynamic signals are missing.

False

According to late selection theory, filtering of information happens after semantic processing.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary neurotransmitter associated with the alerting network in Posner's attention networks?

Norepinephrine Signup and view all the answers

___ is the term used to describe a deficiency in attending to one half of the visual field, often due to brain damage.

Unilateral neglect Signup and view all the answers

What is the cocktail party effect?

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

Match the following attention networks with their primary functions:

Alerting network = Maintaining vigilance over time Orienting network = Directing attention through disengagement, movement, and engagement Executive network = Target detection and selective responding Signup and view all the answers

In visual attention, _____ attention involves a gaze shift that accompanies a shift of attention.

overt Signup and view all the answers

Match the following theories with their key features:

Early Selection Theory = Unattended information is fully inhibited during processing. Treisman's Theory = Unattended information is attenuated after sensory processing. Late Selection Theory = All input channels are semantically analyzed. Cocktail Party Effect = Ability to focus on a single conversation in noise. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of attention allows individuals to focus on specific information while ignoring others?

Selectivity Signup and view all the answers

Involuntary attention is driven by internal goals and states.

False Signup and view all the answers

What effect describes the ability to focus on a conversation amidst a noisy environment?

Cocktail party effect Signup and view all the answers

________ attention is controlled by external events and is typically rapid but brief.

Exogenous Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of attention with its characteristic:

Voluntary attention = Related to current goals Involuntary attention = Manipulated by stimuli Bottom-up attention = Driven by sensory input Top-down attention = Based on internal states Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes sustained attention?

Difficulties in attending to the same thing over long periods Signup and view all the answers

Early selection theory suggests that filtering occurs after sensory input has been processed.

False Signup and view all the answers

Top-down attention is directed based on personal ________ such as knowledge, goals, or habits.

states Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

What is Attention?

Attention is the mind focusing on one thing while ignoring others.
It allows for effective processing of information by selectively filtering inputs.
Attention has a limited capacity, meaning it can only process a certain amount of information at a time.
Sustained attention is difficult, as it challenges the ability to focus on a single task for prolonged periods.

Features of Attention

Selectivity: Focusing on specific information while ignoring other information.
Limited Capacity: Restricting the amount of information processed simultaneously.
Sustainability: Maintaining focus on a single task over extended periods.

Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Attention

Bottom-up attention: Responding to sensory input like loud noises or bright colors.
Top-down attention: Focused by prior knowledge, goals, or expectations.

Voluntary vs. Involuntary Attention

Voluntary attention: Directed by internal goals, intentions, and instructions.
Involuntary attention: Captured by external stimuli, often irrelevant to current goals.

Selective Attention

Cocktail party effect: Ability to focus on one conversation in a noisy environment.

Early Selection Theory (Broadbent, 1958)

Information filtering occurs before extensive processing.
Sensory input is filtered based on physical features (e.g., location, pitch).
Unattended information is largely filtered out.

Challenges to Early Selection

Some unattended information is noticed.
Some processing of the unattended message may occur.
Complete filtering of unattended information is impossible.

Attention Theory - Treisman (1960)

Unattended information isn't fully blocked but attenuated.
Attenuation means reducing the strength of stimuli rather than fully blocking them.
Some meaningful or relevant stimuli break through the attenuation process.

Late Selection Theory (Deutsch & Deutsch, 1963)

All input is considered but only important stimuli are processed.
Semantic analysis occurs regardless of whether a stimulus is attended or not.
Selection based on importance of the information.

Visual Attention

Covert attention: Shifts of attention without eye movements.
Overt attention: Shifts of attention with eye movements.

Attention and Search

Parallel processing:Simultaneous processing of different visual features.
Serial processing: Sequential processing of visual features.
Search efficiency depends on the relation between targets and distractors
Not all info processed equally; difficulty of search depends on how different the target is from distracting stimuli.

Attention and Awareness

Change blindness: Difficulty noticing changes.
Inattentional blindness: Failure to notice obvious events.

Attention Networks

Alerting network: Maintain vigilance, react to stimuli.
Orienting network: Selecting and shifting attention.
Executive network: Responsible for goal-directed actions, inhibiting irrelevant responses and planning.

Unilateral Neglect

Ignoring one side of the visual field.
Often associated with damage to the right parietal lobe.

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Description

Explore the concept of attention in psychology, focusing on its key features such as selectivity, limited capacity, and sustainability. This quiz delves into the differences between bottom-up and top-down attention, as well as voluntary and involuntary attention. Test your knowledge and comprehension of these important psychological principles.