W6 - Attention

Question 1

what are the things we notice first when we have no cues to direct our attention?

Answer 1

the most salient thing
e.g a bright-coloured object

Question 2

Bottom-up

Answer 2

• stimulus-driven
• salience: colour, loudness, size
• involuntary

Question 3

Top-down

Answer 3

• goal-driven
• current needs: tasks, relevence
• voluntary

Question 4

what kinds of stimulus distract us the most when we have no reward?

Answer 4

Positive stimulus

Question 5

The Biased Competition Model of Attention

Answer 5

Sensory Competition between top-down modulation and bottom-up mechanisms

Question 6

Sana et al. (2013) Experiment 1:
The Effect of Multitasking on Comprehension of Lecture Content

Answer 6

those that did not multitask, got a bigger proportion correct.

Question 7

Sana et al. (2013) Experiment 2:
The Effect of Peer Distraction on Comprehension of Lecture Content

Answer 7

those with no view to multitasking got a higher proportion of content correct.

Question 8

The Costs of Multi-tasking

Answer 8

What you miss
1. Attention is limited!
2. Dividing your attention - results in poor attention for everything.

The Switch Cost
1. When we switch tasks, we have to activate a whole new set of cognitive processes.
2. Switching takes time

Question 9

iconic memory

Answer 9

vision - knitting together a series of snapshots to give the experience of a continue moving world

Question 10

Echoic memory

Answer 10

hearing audio - takes all the little bits of sound and connects them

Question 11

short-term/working memory

Answer 11

• attention to the current situation
• way in and out of long-term memory

Question 12

Explicit (declarative) memory

Answer 12

semantic memory
episodic memory

Autobiographical Memory

Question 13

Implicit (nondeclarative) memory

Answer 13

procedural memory

Question 14

Working Memory Model - Central Executive

Answer 14

controls flow of
information into and out of LTM

Question 15

Working Memory Model - Phonological Loop

Answer 15

auditory store, mostly language-based.

Question 16

Working Memory Model - Visual-spatial Sketchpad

Answer 16

visual store, mostly imagery based.

Question 17

Working Memory Model - Episodic buffer

Answer 17

Mental workspace that holds together all parts of our current perception or thought.

we lose this when we task switch

Question 18

capacity and duration of short-term memory

Answer 18

5-10 items at a duration of < 1-4 sec

7+/- 2 verablly and 4+/-1 visually times at a duration of 30 sec

for long term the capacity could be unlimited and the duration forever

Question 19

What evidence do we have that attention is limited? Provide at least two.

Answer 19

The Stroop Effect
Dual-Task Experiments

Question 20

What is the difference between automatic and controlled processes?

Answer 20

automatic processes are quick, unconscious, and effortless, while controlled processes are slower, conscious, and require more mental effort. Over time, controlled processes can become automatic with practice.

Question 21

How do processes become automatic?

Answer 21

Through consistent practice and feedback, complex, conscious tasks can become automatic, allowing people to perform them with minimal effort and attention.

Question 22

What are the advantages and disadvantages of automaticity?

Answer 22

Advantages:
Improved efficiency
Increased speed
Enhanced multitasking ability
Reduced mental effort

Disadvantages:
Risk of errors
Difficulty in changing habits
Inflexibility
Mindless behavior

Balance automaticity with conscious control to maximize benefits and minimize drawbacks.

Question 23

What are the key differences between Filter Theory, Attenuation Model, Late Selection Model, and Load Theory of attention? Can you describe experiments that support each theory?

Answer 23

• Filter Theory: Early, strict filtering based on physical traits.
• Attenuation Model: Early filtering, but unattended info is weakened, not eliminated.
• Late Selection: All info is processed for meaning; selection happens after meaning.
• Load Theory: The level of cognitive load determines when selection occurs.

Question 24

How does the biased competition model explain what will be the focus of attention at any moment?

Answer 24

Attention is guided by both external stimuli (bottom-up) and internal goals (top-down). The most relevant stimulus, based on this balance, wins and becomes the focus of attention.

Question 25

How does the study of attention help us in the real world?

Answer 25

The study of attention helps improve productivity, learning, technology design, safety, clinical treatments, communication, and marketing, making various aspects of life more efficient and effective.