Perception: Role of Attention

Question 1

Contextual Novelty

Answer 1

We are drawn to contextually novel stimuli

We tend to quickly form opinions regarding such stimuli
•E.g. we tend to quickly form opinions of members of a novel group…

Things that are unusual in a context are more salient, grab our attention
e.g. in a nurses lounge and there is only one male nurse, then gender is salient aspect noticed

Question 2

Negativity Effect/Bias

Answer 2

We are more drawn to, and can more easily recall, negative aspects of a situation
• In our minds, negative weighs more than positive

Question 3

Status Cues

Answer 3

Evolutionary basis

We are very aware of traditional status cues, even across genders

Towards males: the most physically dominant has the highest status

Towards females: the most attractive has higher status