Chapter 9- Attention as a Limited Capacity Resource

Question 1

What is attention?

Answer 1

Characteristics associated with:

(1) Consciousness
(2) Awareness
(3) Cognitive Effort

Question 2

What’re the different attention theories?

Answer 2

1) Filter Theory (Bottleneck Theory)
2) Resource Capacity Theory
3) Central Resource Capacity Theory
4) Multiple Resource Theory

Question 3

What is Filter Theory/ Bottleneck Theory?

Answer 3

• Have a cap/limit

- Difficult to do multiple tasks simultaneously b/c unable to serially process multiple stimuli

Question 4

What is Resource Capacity Theory?

Answer 4

• Difficulty doing multiple tasks simultaneously b/c of limited availability of resources needed to carry out tasks
• I.e., Resource capacity limits

Question 5

What is Central Resource Capacity Theory?

Answer 5

• One central (i.e., CNS) source of attention resources for which all activities compete
• Have to choose which activity/activities to pay attention to

Question 6

What is Multiple Resource Theory?

Answer 6

• Alternative to Central Resource Theory
• Propose we have several resources for attention (each source limited capacity)
• Multiple resources based on specific info. processing need
• Wickens proposed sensory input (visual, proprioception) & response output (verbal, motor)

Question 7

Kahneman’s Attention Theory

Answer 7

• Example of Central Resource Capacity Theory
• Equates attention w/ “Cognitive Effort”
• Proposed flexible attention capacity limits
• If aroused, capacity can change (when arousal optimal = max. amount available)
• Eval. of attention requirements of multiple tasks (determine whether sufficient attention resources available)

Question 8

What are three rules people use to allocate attention resources when performing multiple tasks?

Answer 8

1) Ensure completion
- Of at least one task

2) Enduring Dispositions
- Involuntary allocation
- Cocktail party phenomenon

3) Momentary Intentions
- Allocate attention according to instructions

Question 9

What is Dual-Task Procedure?

Answer 9

• Used to asses attention demands of simultaneous performance of 2 diff. tasks
• Primary task = task of interest
• Secondary task = basis to make inferences about attention demands of primary task

Question 10

How do you focus attention?

Answer 10

(1) Attentional Focus
- Direct attention to specific aspects of performance
- Width of focus: Broad or narrow
- Direction of focus: External or internal

(2) Attention Switching
- Changing of attentional focus

Question 11

What is Action Effect Hypothesis?

Answer 11

• Prinz, 1997
• Proposed benefit of external focus during performance
• Focus attention on intended outcome (i.e., “effects”) of mov’ts rather than mov’ts themselves

Question 12

What is automaticity?

Answer 12

Performance of a skill w/ little/no demand on attention

• In Kahneman’s Theory, relates to evaluation of task demands
• Automaticity of task performance related to amount of practice
• Diff brain areas active when tasks are or are not automatized

Question 13

What is visual selective attention?

Answer 13

Detection & selection of performance - related info. in performance enviro

Question 14

What is visual search?

Answer 14

Process of directing visual attention to locate relevant info. (i.e., cues) in enviro

Question 15

What are eye mov’t recordings?

Answer 15

• Used to investigate visual selective attention
• What a person is visually attending to inferred from “point of gaze”
• Track central vision

Question 16

Relationship of selective attention & point of gaze

Answer 16

• Possible to direct visual attention to an environmental feature w/o looking directly at it
• Not possible to make eye mov’t w/o also making shift in visual attention

Question 17

How do we select visual cues?

Answer 17

• Visual search & intended actions

- Active search for “regulatory” conditions based on action goal

Question 18

What is Feature Integration Theory?

Answer 18

• Initial search based on specific features (i.e., colour, shape)
• Direct “attentional spotlight” on enviro. (wide or narrow focus)
• Features of interest “pop out”

Question 19

Relationship btwn visual search & action preparation?

Answer 19

• Visual search picks up info. that influences 3 aspects of action preparation
  1) Action selection
  2) Constraining of selected action
  3) Timing of action initiation
• 3 Prep processes influenced by visual search in open & closed motor skills

Question 20

What is the quiet eye?

Answer 20

Final fixation just before mov’t initiation

• Directed to a critical location/object
• Stable fixation gaze
• Onset occurs just before 1st mov’t
• Duration is longer for elite performers
• In closed & open skills

Question 21

How do you train visual search?

Answer 21

• Success based on experience in specific performance situations
• Often results from learning relevant visual info. w/o conscious awareness (implicit learning)