Attention

Question 1

Three networks of attention

Answer 1

• Orienting
• Alerting
• Executive

Question 2

Orienting

Answer 2

• Drawing attention to a region
• Early-emerging and most primitive
• Fully operational in infancy and little subsequent change

Question 3

Early improvements in attention

Answer 3

2-6 months is an increase in smooth pursuit (eye movement) and ability to anticipate movements

Question 4

Alerting

Answer 4

• Arousing the attentional system through a cue that indicates that a stimulus is about to occur
• Present in infancy but undergoes refinement through early primary years

Question 5

Executive function

Answer 5

Collection of cognitive activities involved in goal-directed tasks and problem solving that develops through adolescence

Question 6

Individual differences in temperament from parents study

Answer 6

Parent’s ability to provide emotional soothing may influence orienting network and child’s behaviour

Question 7

Joint attention

Answer 7

Person coordinates attention between an object or event and another person

Question 8

Intersubjectivity

Answer 8

Mutual understanding that people share during communication

Question 9

Social referencing

Answer 9

Tendency to look towards social partners for guidance on how to respond to unfamiliar or threatening events

Question 10

Following attention

Answer 10

• Looking where someone else looks
• Infants begin to follow attention at 3 months and ability increases through 18 months

Question 11

When do infants start directing attention?

Answer 11

Infants start directing attention of others around 10-11 months, increasing in complexity with age