Attention Flashcards
What is the definition of attention?
When the senses detect information, our mental resources are concentrated on specific elements
What is attention most commonly described as?
The concentration of mental effort on sensory or mental events
Attention can move quickly, however what’s the downside?
It can only deal with one thing at a time
What are the 4 forms of attention? (DFS Sale)
Divided, focused, sustained, and selective
What influences attention?
Arousal levels and stress
When attention is being influenced, what happens to your attention?
It is improved or hindered depending on circumstances
What is selective attention?
When someone is monitoring several sources of input, with greater attention being given to one or more sources which appear more important
What is the negative side of selective attention?
Easily distracted
When someone is consciously attending one source of information what can they still do?
Sample other sources in the background
What is divided attention?
When you’re required to do more than one thing
What is the most common type of attention in the work place?
Divided attention
What is the downside of divided attention?
Usually one task suffers at the expense of the other task, especially if they are similar in nature
What is divided attention sometimes known as?
Time sharing
What is focused attention?
Simply the skill of focusing one’s attention on a single source and avoiding distraction
What is sustained attention?
The ability to maintain attention and remain alert over long periods of time, often on one task
