W6 - Attention Flashcards

1
Q

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

A

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

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2
Q

Bottom-up

A
  • stimulus-driven
  • salience: colour, loudness, size
  • involuntary
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3
Q

Top-down

A
  • goal-driven
  • current needs: tasks, relevence
  • voluntary
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4
Q

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

A

Positive stimulus

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5
Q

The Biased Competition Model of Attention

A

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

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6
Q

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

A

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

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7
Q

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

A

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

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8
Q

The Costs of Multi-tasking

A

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

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9
Q

iconic memory

A

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

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10
Q

Echoic memory

A

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

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11
Q

short-term/working memory

A
  • attention to the current situation
  • way in and out of long-term memory
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12
Q

Explicit (declarative) memory

A

semantic memory
episodic memory

Autobiographical Memory

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13
Q

Implicit (nondeclarative) memory

A

procedural memory

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14
Q

Working Memory Model - Central Executive

A

controls flow of
information into and out of LTM

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15
Q

Working Memory Model - Phonological Loop

A

auditory store, mostly language-based.

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16
Q

Working Memory Model - Visual-spatial Sketchpad

A

visual store, mostly imagery based.

17
Q

Working Memory Model - Episodic buffer

A

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

we lose this when we task switch

18
Q

capacity and duration of short-term memory

A

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

19
Q

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

A

The Stroop Effect
Dual-Task Experiments

20
Q

What is the difference between automatic and controlled processes?

A

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.

21
Q

How do processes become automatic?

A

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

22
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of automaticity?

A

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.

23
Q

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?

A
  • 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.
24
Q

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

A

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.

25
How does the study of attention help us in the real world?
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.