Attention Flashcards
What is known about attention
Have a limited amount of attention
Regardless of theory looked at
Filter theory AKA bottle neck theory
Difficulty doing several things at once because info processing system performs each in serial order
- one piece of info at a time
What theory have we moved away from
Filter or bottleneck theory
2 attention theories
Central resource capacity theories
Multiple resource theories
central resource capacity theory
Central reservoir of resources for which all activities compete
Kahneman’s attention theory
Multiple resource theories
Several attention mechanisms, each having limited resources
Each resource pool is specific to a component of performing a skill
Example of flexible central capacity theory for central resource capacity theory
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
Attention is seen as what in kahnemans model of attention
Cognitive effort- mental resources need to carry out activities
What does the size of the large circle change according to in kahneman’s model
According to individual level of arousal, attention demands of task, attention demands in the environment
Individual level of arousal (kahnhmans)
Arousal level will determine level of attention
If arousal too high or too low, there is smaller available attention capacity
Attention demands of the task (kahnemans)
Tasks different in amount of attention they demand
Person evaluates the demands to determine if they can do them simultaneously or not
Attention demands of the environment (kahnemans)
3 rules influencing how people allocate attentional resources
Complete one task, enduring situations, momentary intentions
3 rules for how people allocate attentional resources
- Allocate attention to ensure we can complete one task
- Allocate attention according to enduring dispositions
- Allocate attentions according to their momentary intentions (pay close attention to step)
What is allocating attention according to enduring dispositions
Involuntary direct our attention (distracted by) things even though were paying attention to something
Unexpected event (noise, sneeze, object in way)
What is cocktail party phenomenon
Excluding others auditory noises from conscious awareness
You are in a conversation and hear your name said across a room
3 sources (pools) from multiple resource theory
- Input and output modalities
- Stages of info processing
- Codes of processing info
Input and output modalities
Vision, limbs, speech system
Stages of info processing
Perception, cognition, response output
Codes of processing info
Verbal codes and spatial codes
In multiple resource theory what is success in 2 of more tasks simultaneously depend on
Whether those tasks demand our attention form a common resource or from different resources
If two tasks are are from same source
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
Multiple source theory example
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
What is the common theme among theories of attention
Limited available resources
- can perform multiple tasks simultaneously but have limited capacity
- difficulty arises if tasks consume all our ressources
What is dual task paradigm used to assess
Attentional demands of different tasks
- investigate attention-limit issues
How is attentional demands of different tasks assessed
Notice amount of interference of secondary task on primary task
What must be measured in dual task paradigm for primary and secondary tasks
- performance on both tasks separately
- performance when both tasks are performed simultaneously (can either direct or allow participant to self direct attention)
Dual task paradigm: secondary task classification
- Probe
- Continuous
Probe secondary task
Discretely performed at varying times throughout movement
If/when performance decreases then attentional capacity is reached at those specific points in time
What does probe secondary task determine
Attentional demands during different stages of performance
Dual task paradigm: continuous secondary task
Perform both tasks simultaneously
If attention capacity is reached, performance worsens
What does continuous secondary task determine
Attentional capacity throughout entire performance
Timed up-and-go
Continuous secondary task
Where to focus attention: movement outcome vs pattern
Focus on target and you will reach target
Focus on your hand and you will miss target
(Similar to focusing on signal not movement)
Two hypothesis about focusing attention
- Action effect hypothesis
- Constrained action hypothesis
Action effect hypothesis
Actions are more effective if they are planned according to their intended outcomes compared to planning according to movement patterns
Constrained action hypothesis
Internal focus “constrains” the performer to consciously control movement (everything going on in body)
External focus allows automatic control processes to control movement
What does internal focus disrupt according to constrained action hypothesis cause
Disrupts automatic motor control processes that should control movement
3 stages of Fitts and Posner model
- Cognitive stage
- cognitive effort required to focus on movement, feedback and intentions - Associative (refining) stage
- Autonomous stage (skill almost automatic)
Automaticity
Performance of a movement without attention to that particular movement
- acquired and varies across continuum
With practice how is automaticity acquired
Movement can be controlled as a GMP/coordinative synergy instead of controlling many sub-movements
The automaticity of an expert
High
And can have more additional attentional ressources
When expert focuses on the internal task what happens
Performance impaired
Control must switch from automatic to cognitive and requires greater attentional ressources
