Attention Flashcards
Selection
The ability of a system to focus on stimuli that are most relevant to its behavior, goals, or interests while ignoring/filtering out stimuli less relevant (but monitoring them in case they become relevant)
Model of attention
Alert: prepare for, and sustain alertness to, stimulus
Orient: direct attention to stimulus
Executive control: supervisory role over attention
Capacity limitations: resource allocation theory
We flexibly allocate resources from a single cognitive pool of resources
Capacity limitations: central bottleneck model
Resources must be sequentially not simultaneously allocated to various tasks
Types: sustained attention
- Incorporates vigilance, persistence, and task consistency
- Breakdowns = short attention span, lose concentration over time
Types: Exec. control- selective attention
“Freedom from distractibility”
Breakdowns= easily distracted by external/internal stimuli
Types: Exec. control- alternating attention
-Requires mental flexibility to go back and forth
-Breakdowns = those who perseverate, lack of flexibility, slowed processing, difficulty w/ working memory
Types: Exec. control- suppression
-Control impulsive responding; related to selective attention and working memory
-Breakdowns = disinhibition or impulsivity
Types: Exec. control- working memory
-Hold on to info so that it can be used
-Breakdowns = e.g. losing track of topic of convo
General treatment approaches
-external aids
-environmental/task modification
-direct attention training
- behavioral modification
-medication
Cognition defined
all forms of knowing and awareness:
perceiving
conceiving
remembering
reasoning
judging
imagining
problem solving
Attention defined
directing focus towards and external or internal stimuli
- social interaction, executive function, memory, language
Exogenous
Giving external attention
(conversation, external things in your surroundings)
Endogenous
Giving internal attention
(thought, hunger, internal things)
