L3: Attention and Performance

Question 1

What does “attention” mean?

Answer 1

The ability to selectively concentrate on one aspect of the environment while ignoring other things.

Question 2

What is the Shadowing Paradigm in auditory attention?

Answer 2

When we play auditory messages in both ears and listeners have to attend to only one, the meaning of the non-attended message is not processed at all.

Question 3

What is Broadbent’s Theory?

Answer 3

Two stimuli presented simultaneously are processed by the sensory register (low-level perceptual analysis). However, only the attended input is allowed through the filter and undergoes semantic analysis.

Question 4

Argument against Broadbent’s Theory

Answer 4

People seem to be able to process the meaning of unattended messages eg. when your name is said

Question 5

What is Triesman’s Attenuation Theory

Answer 5

The filter attenuates (rather than completely blocks) unattended information. *Most agreed on

Question 6

What is Deutsch & Deutsch’s Theory

Answer 6

All stimuli are analysed, but response is influenced by the most important stimulus

Question 7

What is Top-Down processing

Answer 7

Goal-directed (influenced by expectations, knowledge, intentions) and helps to decrease impact of non-attended stimulus

Question 8

What is Bottom-Up Processing

Answer 8

Stimulus-driven and helps to segregate different input streams

Question 9

What is the relationship between region size and processing efficiency

Answer 9

Negative

Question 10

What happens to unattended visual stimuli? Evidence from neuropsychology?

Answer 10

Processed less thoroughly than attended ones. Neglect patients (typically via stroke damage to right hemisphere), ignore the left side of world

Question 11

What kind of stimuli distract us?

Answer 11

The fact that unattended stimuli can receive partial processing means we can be distracted. Stimuli high in novelty, emotional valence and task relevance.

Question 12

What does level of distraction depend on?

Answer 12

The load of the current task

Question 13

What is the Perceptual Load Theory?

Answer 13

Assumes that attentional load is limited and attentional capacity is primarily allocated to the attended information. Residual capacity is then allocated to the unattended stimulus. Demanding tasks leave less residual capacity for unattended stimuli.

Question 14

What is Cross-Model Effects?

Answer 14

Attentional processes can be coordinated across modalities ie. picture more easily identified when accompanied by congruent sound

Question 15

What is the Guided Search Theory

Answer 15

Attention is used to select items and helps us search in an intelligent order

Question 16

What is bottom-up feature guidance

Answer 16

Single features “pop out” and combinations of 2 or more features require attention to be bound together - search is slower

Question 17

What is top-down feature guidance

Answer 17

The weights on a priority map, indicating attentional priority, can be dynamically adjusted by top-down factors such as goals and expectations

Question 18

Why does multitasking get better with practice?

Answer 18

Processing becomes automatic

Question 19

Controlled Processes vs Automatic Processes

Answer 19

Controlled Processes are of limited capacity, require attention and can be used flexibly in changing circumstances. Automatic Processes have no capacity limitations, do not require attention and are very hard to modify once learned.

Question 20

Difference between consistent-mapping and varied-mapping results

Answer 20

There is automatic processing in consistent-mapping and controlled processing in varied-mapping condition

Question 21

Can attention influence behaviour in the absence of consciousness?

Answer 21

Yes, amygdala and anterior cortex show activity for fearful faces, even in the absence of conscious awareness of the face

Question 22

Does conscious intensions cause our actions?

Answer 22

There is evidence to the illusion of free will. There is a lag between brain signals and awareness of intention