Information processing

Question 1

Focused or selective attention

Answer 1

• mechanism by which certain information is registered and other information is rejected
• basically avoiding distraction

Question 2

Capacity or divided attention

Answer 2

• refers to the upper limit of the amount of processing that can be performed on the incoming information at any one time
• max info that can be taken in

Question 3

Dichotic listening

Answer 3

• feed different information into both ears at the same time
• the participant has to repeat one of the messages aloud
• this is called Shadowing
• Cherry
• used to test selective attention

Question 4

Dual task technique

Answer 4

-an individual is asked to attend and respond to both or all incoming messages when different messages are said into each ear

Question 5

Cocktail party effect

Answer 5

• describes the ability of people to be able to switch their attention rapidly to a non-processed message
• switching between messages occurs

Question 6

Broadbent’s early selection filter theory

Answer 6

• our ability to process information is capacity limited
• a temporary buffer system receives all information and passes it to a selective filter
• one source is selected and others rejected
• processing two pieces of information will take longer and will be less efficient as switching takes up time

Question 7

Triesman’s attenuation theory

Answer 7

-Triesman 1964 proposed that physical characteristics and semantic relevance (meaning) are used to select one message for full processing whilst other messages are given partial processing

Question 8

Deutsch-Norman late selection filter model

Answer 8

• rejects Broadbent
• suggests filtering occurs only later after all inputs are analysed at a higher level
• aka pertinence model

Question 9

Pigeon-holing

Answer 9

• Broadbent revised the early selection filter theory and stated that apart from filtering, pigeon holing can also take place
• information is filtered based on categorization

Question 10

Automatic processing

Answer 10

• does not require conscious attention
• unaffected by capacity limits
• difficult to modify
  e. g driving a car or listening to the radio

Question 11

Controlled processing

Answer 11

-requires attention
-heavy demands
slow and capacity limited
-e.g revising

Question 12

Closed loop control

Answer 12

• conscious attention

- when you are learning a skill

Question 13

Open loop control

Answer 13

• when you have learnt a skill

- automatic process

Question 14

Stroop test

Answer 14

• names of colours printed in different colours

- selective attention

Question 15

Letter cancellation test

Answer 15

• like a wordsearch but have to identify letters

- tests selective attention

Question 16

Focused attention

Answer 16

• ability to perceived individual items of information

- focus on one thing

Question 17

Sustained attention

Answer 17

• maintain consistent behavioral response during continuous and repetitive activity
• aka vigilance or concentration

Question 18

Selective attention

Answer 18

• ability to avoid distractions from internal or external cues and maintain a behaviour in the face of competing stimuli
• concentrate despite distractions

Question 19

Alternating attention

Answer 19

-the ability of mental flexibility that allows individuals to shift their focus of attention and move between tasks

Question 20

Divided attention

Answer 20

• the highest level of attention

- refers to the ability to respond simultaneously to multiple tasks

Question 21

A hierarchical model of attention

Answer 21

• Sohlberg and MAterr
• model of evaluating attention in a hierarchical fashion
• clinically useful in brain damaged patients
• uses attention training
• The model consists of five components of attention: focused attention, sustained attention, selective attention, alternating attention, and divided attention

Question 22

Attention and schizophrenia

Answer 22

-may be overall genetic attentional abnormality for those with a genetic predisposition for psychosis