Attention

Question 1

What is known about attention

Answer 1

Have a limited amount of attention
Regardless of theory looked at

Question 2

Filter theory AKA bottle neck theory

Answer 2

Difficulty doing several things at once because info processing system performs each in serial order
- one piece of info at a time

Question 3

What theory have we moved away from

Answer 3

Filter or bottleneck theory

Question 4

2 attention theories

Answer 4

Central resource capacity theories
Multiple resource theories

Question 5

central resource capacity theory

Answer 5

Central reservoir of resources for which all activities compete
Kahneman’s attention theory

Question 6

Multiple resource theories

Answer 6

Several attention mechanisms, each having limited resources
Each resource pool is specific to a component of performing a skill

Question 7

Example of flexible central capacity theory for central resource capacity theory

Answer 7

Walking and texting inside flexible attention capacity
Walking in, capacity decreases for texting (errors) if walking takes more attention (icy)
Walking falls outside is texting takes for attention

Question 8

Attention is seen as what in kahnemans model of attention

Answer 8

Cognitive effort- mental resources need to carry out activities

Question 9

What does the size of the large circle change according to in kahneman’s model

Answer 9

According to individual level of arousal, attention demands of task, attention demands in the environment

Question 10

Individual level of arousal (kahnhmans)

Answer 10

Arousal level will determine level of attention
If arousal too high or too low, there is smaller available attention capacity

Question 11

Attention demands of the task (kahnemans)

Answer 11

Tasks different in amount of attention they demand
Person evaluates the demands to determine if they can do them simultaneously or not

Question 12

Attention demands of the environment (kahnemans)

Answer 12

3 rules influencing how people allocate attentional resources
Complete one task, enduring situations, momentary intentions

Question 13

3 rules for how people allocate attentional resources

Answer 13

1. Allocate attention to ensure we can complete one task
2. Allocate attention according to enduring dispositions
3. Allocate attentions according to their momentary intentions (pay close attention to step)

Question 14

What is allocating attention according to enduring dispositions

Answer 14

Involuntary direct our attention (distracted by) things even though were paying attention to something
Unexpected event (noise, sneeze, object in way)

Question 15

What is cocktail party phenomenon

Answer 15

Excluding others auditory noises from conscious awareness
You are in a conversation and hear your name said across a room

Question 16

3 sources (pools) from multiple resource theory

Answer 16

1. Input and output modalities
2. Stages of info processing
3. Codes of processing info

Question 17

Input and output modalities

Answer 17

Vision, limbs, speech system

Question 18

Stages of info processing

Answer 18

Perception, cognition, response output

Question 19

Codes of processing info

Answer 19

Verbal codes and spatial codes

Question 20

In multiple resource theory what is success in 2 of more tasks simultaneously depend on

Answer 20

Whether those tasks demand our attention form a common resource or from different resources

Question 21

If two tasks are are from same source

Answer 21

They will be done less well than if they were from different sources
Ie) talking while riding a bike is easier than having two different convos
Ie) studying when tv is on if more difficult then studying to classical music

Question 22

Multiple source theory example

Answer 22

Driving and talking
Traffic light: Driving does not demand many resources from all 3
Conversation required input-output and stage of info processing
Traffic heavy: demand increases for vision and stages of info processing
Carrying on convo requires same resources
Need to decrease convo to maintain safe driving

Question 23

What is the common theme among theories of attention

Answer 23

Limited available resources
- can perform multiple tasks simultaneously but have limited capacity
- difficulty arises if tasks consume all our ressources

Question 24

What is dual task paradigm used to assess

Answer 24

Attentional demands of different tasks
- investigate attention-limit issues

Question 25

How is attentional demands of different tasks assessed

Answer 25

Notice amount of interference of secondary task on primary task

Question 26

What must be measured in dual task paradigm for primary and secondary tasks

Answer 26

• performance on both tasks separately
• performance when both tasks are performed simultaneously (can either direct or allow participant to self direct attention)

Question 27

Dual task paradigm: secondary task classification

Answer 27

1. Probe
2. Continuous

Question 28

Probe secondary task

Answer 28

Discretely performed at varying times throughout movement
If/when performance decreases then attentional capacity is reached at those specific points in time

Question 29

What does probe secondary task determine

Answer 29

Attentional demands during different stages of performance

Question 30

Dual task paradigm: continuous secondary task

Answer 30

Perform both tasks simultaneously
If attention capacity is reached, performance worsens

Question 31

What does continuous secondary task determine

Answer 31

Attentional capacity throughout entire performance

Question 32

Timed up-and-go

Answer 32

Continuous secondary task

Question 33

Where to focus attention: movement outcome vs pattern

Answer 33

Focus on target and you will reach target
Focus on your hand and you will miss target
(Similar to focusing on signal not movement)

Question 34

Two hypothesis about focusing attention

Answer 34

1. Action effect hypothesis
2. Constrained action hypothesis

Question 35

Action effect hypothesis

Answer 35

Actions are more effective if they are planned according to their intended outcomes compared to planning according to movement patterns

Question 36

Constrained action hypothesis

Answer 36

Internal focus “constrains” the performer to consciously control movement (everything going on in body)
External focus allows automatic control processes to control movement

Question 37

What does internal focus disrupt according to constrained action hypothesis cause

Answer 37

Disrupts automatic motor control processes that should control movement

Question 38

3 stages of Fitts and Posner model

Answer 38

1. Cognitive stage
   - cognitive effort required to focus on movement, feedback and intentions
2. Associative (refining) stage
3. Autonomous stage (skill almost automatic)

Question 39

Automaticity

Answer 39

Performance of a movement without attention to that particular movement
- acquired and varies across continuum

Question 40

With practice how is automaticity acquired

Answer 40

Movement can be controlled as a GMP/coordinative synergy instead of controlling many sub-movements

Question 41

The automaticity of an expert

Answer 41

High
And can have more additional attentional ressources

Question 42

When expert focuses on the internal task what happens

Answer 42

Performance impaired
Control must switch from automatic to cognitive and requires greater attentional ressources