Lecture 4

Question 1

Yerkes-Dodson law

Answer 1

Relationship between how well we do on a task and how aroused we are to it

Question 2

Attentional energy theory

Answer 2

Capacity - limited, flexible. can be allocated

Attentional limits - specific structural limits, non-specific energy resources

Question 3

Data limit

Answer 3

• Point at which allocating more attentional energy does not provide better performance
• Also known as structural limit
• Task possibly too difficult
• Possibly don’t have enough knowledge

Question 4

Resource limits

Answer 4

• Not at data limit
• performance limited due to limiting resources allocated to it

Question 5

Automaticity

Answer 5

Automatic processes - rapid, unintentional, do not require resources

Controlled processes - slow, intentional, require resources

Question 6

Implications for divided attention

Answer 6

• Automatic tasks can be performed at the same time
• Controlled processes will interfere with each other if they exceed capacity of attentional energy

Question 7

Acquisition of automatic processes

Answer 7

• Extensive practrice

Stroop (1935) - automaticity of basic reading processes

Question 8

Filter theory

Answer 8

3 components
- Selective filter
- Limited capacity decision channel
- Long term memory
—
Numbers said in one ear
- When told to recall by ear, 65% items, attend to one ear then switch to other
- When told to recall in sequence, 20% of items, requires rapid switching
- Suggests select info based on channel

Question 9

Dichotic presentation

Answer 9

• Shadowing task
• One message in one ear, another in other ear
• Repeat back what you hear in ear you’re told
• Can notice change in voice (male->female) in unattended ear
• Don’t notice change in language in unattended ear
• Good evidence for filter theory

Question 10

Problem with filter theory

Answer 10

• Not all or non
• If something significant for the participant (name) is said in unattended ear it is heard
• Responses organized by word or digit is selected by semantics
• Conditioned responses occur when in unattended or attended ear

Question 11

Attenuation theory

Answer 11

Filter - Not all-or-none, just attenuates, uses physical
Dictionary units - “lexicon” (logogens), affects detection

Question 12

Thresholds

Answer 12

• Variable (name vs house) - Unattended things that get your attention have a lower threshold