intro to attention

Question 1

Defining attention

Answer 1

Attention is the means by which we actively select and process a limited amount of information captured by our sense, or stored in memories and our other cognitive processes

Question 2

Five main functions of attention

Answer 2

Signal detection
Vigilance
Search
Selective attention
Divided attention

Question 3

Signal detection

Answer 3

Attention allows us to detect a specific stimulus among the vast amount of stimuli
Example - lifeguard can see someone drowning on busy beach

Question 4

Vigilance

Answer 4

Ability to maintain our attention for a prolonged period of time to detect a specific stimulus
Example - fishing needs you to look for shake on the line after long period of no motion

Question 5

Search

Answer 5

Attention allows us to actively search for a specific stimulus
Example - when fireman smells smoke, he knows there’s a fire

Question 6

Selective attention

Answer 6

Attention allows us to choose or focus on a specific stimulus and ignore others
Example - listening in a lecture hall and avoid listening to other distractions like typing

Question 7

Divided attention

Answer 7

Allows us to direct or shift our attention resource between multiple tasks
Example - Working whilst trying to look after baby

Question 8

Goal directed attention - other names

Answer 8

Endogenous control
Top-down system

Question 9

Stimulus driven attention - other names

Answer 9

Exogenous control
Bottom up system

Question 10

Goal oriented attention - Corbetta and Shulman (2002)

Answer 10

Goal oriented system is influenced by expectations, knowledge and current goals of individuals

Question 11

Goal oriented attention - covert attention task

Answer 11

Participants respond faster when a valid cue is expected to happen, and slower when an unexpected cue happens
Participants affected by current knowledge and goals - if they weren’t then the reaction time wouldn’t change

Question 12

Dorsal attention network

Answer 12

Associated with the goal oriented network, 6 regions
SPL
IPS
IFJ
FEF
MT
V3A

Question 13

Stimulus driven attention - Posner (1980)

Answer 13

Automatic shift of attention towards a stimulus, such as a flashing light or sound

Question 14

Stimulus driven attention - Corbetta and Shulman (2002)

Answer 14

Stimulus driven system automatically redirects attention towards a potentially important stimulus

Question 15

Ventral attention network

Answer 15

Allows us to attend to unexpected threatening stimuli, 6 regions
IFJ
IFG
SMG
STG
Insula
Temporo parietal junction

Question 16

Network model of attention

Answer 16

Three sub functions of attention
Alerting
Orienting
Executive attention

Question 17

Alerting

Answer 17

System that helps us achieve and maintain a high state of sensitivity to incoming stimuli

Question 18

Problems associated with alerting

Answer 18

Normal aging
Attention deficit disorder

Question 19

Orienting

Answer 19

System that improves the selection of information from sensory input

Question 20

Problems associated with orienting

Answer 20

Autism

Question 21

Executive attention

Answer 21

System that helps us monitor and resolve conflict among thoughts, feelings and responses

Question 22

Neurotransmitter for alerting

Answer 22

Norepinephrine

Question 23

Neurotransmitter for orienting

Answer 23

Acetylcholine

Question 24

Neurotransmitter for executive attention

Answer 24

Dopamine

Question 25

Factors that influence attention

Answer 25

Anxiety - trait and state based
Arousal - being tired = hard to pay attention
Task difficulty - harder task = more attention
Skills - increased skills = less attention