Attention Flashcards
What is selective attention
The preferential detection, identification and recognition of selected stimuli
What are filter theories
Bottleneck
Only one piece of info makes it through for processing
Welford - only process one piece of info from start to finish
Broadbent - have some sensory detection and processing then filter
Keele - once we make some decisions do we start focusing one one piece of info
Explain interference in processing
The stroop effect
- colour of a word game
Easier to identify rift the colour of a word if the word isn’t the name of a colour
- if someone says your name you tune into that conversation, suggesting you were processing it to some extent before
- gorilla problem, increased anxiety
= inattention blindness
What are the features of controlled processing
Slow
Attention demanding
Serial
Voluntary
What are the features of automatic processing
Fast
Not attention demanding
Parallel
Non voluntary
What is the psychological refractory period
Dual stimulus paradigm
When we have more than one stimulus to respond to, they may interfere with each other
When presented in quick succession, delay responding to second one
The psychological refractory period = the added delay to the second response
What is the time between the two stimuli being presented in a he psychological refractory period
Stimulus onset asynchrony
Delays reaction time to stimuli no.2
What happens when two stimuli are presented at a very similar time
Try to respond to them at same time
What is the delay between completing the response to each task
Inter-response interval
What is arousal
Level of activation or excitement in cns
What is arousal
Interpretation of situation and resulting emotions
How does arousal effect attention
Causes narrowing of attentional focus
Progressive elimination of input (relevant cues)
Less likely to notice improbable evens
May miss things
Increase in attentional shifts
Explain cue utilisation theory
Easterbrook
Shaped like inverted U
Too many cues and not selective
Then less cues used, ignore irrelevant
Then when too aroused, use too few cues, ignore relevant
