Chapter 8 Flashcards
to learn the contents of the chapter 'attention' in a more simplified manner
What is attention?
Attention is the cognitive process of selectively concentrating on specific information while filtering out irrelevant stimuli.
Name the five types of attention.
Focused attention, sustained attention, selective attention, divided attention, and alternating attention.
What is the role of focused attention?
Focused attention allows an individual to respond to specific stimuli while ignoring distractions, crucial for tasks requiring concentration.
What is sustained attention?
Sustained attention, or vigilance, is the ability to maintain focus over extended periods of time.
What is selective attention?
Selective attention involves focusing on one particular stimulus while suppressing responses to competing stimuli.
What is divided attention?
Divided attention is the ability to process multiple tasks or stimuli simultaneously, often seen in multitasking.
What is alternating attention?
Alternating attention refers to switching focus between different tasks or stimuli.
Name two attentional networks in the brain.
Dorsal attention network (for goal-directed attention) and ventral attention network (for stimulus-driven attention).
What is Broadbent’s Filter Theory?
A theory suggesting that attention acts as a bottleneck, allowing only one stream of information to pass through while blocking others.
What is Treisman’s Attenuation Theory?
A theory that unattended stimuli are not completely blocked but rather weakened, allowing some unattended information to reach consciousness under certain conditions.
What does Kahneman’s Resource Theory propose?
Attention is a limited cognitive resource, and tasks that require more effort reduce the available attention for other tasks.
What is Feature Integration Theory?
A theory explaining that attention is necessary to integrate different features of a stimulus, like color and shape, into a unified perception.
What is the Yerkes-Dodson Law?
It proposes that moderate levels of arousal enhance performance, while too little or too much arousal impairs attention and task performance.
How does fatigue affect attention?
Fatigue reduces attentional capacity, leading to slower reaction times and decreased focus.
How does ADHD affect attention?
ADHD is characterized by difficulties with sustained attention, impulsivity, and distractibility, impairing the ability to focus on tasks.
