cog-psy attention

Attention

The cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment while ignoring others.

Divided Attention

The ability to process multiple stimuli or perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

Selective Attention

The process of directing awareness to relevant stimuli while ignoring irrelevant stimuli.

Dichotic Listening

A technique used to study focused attention by presenting two stimuli simultaneously, requiring participants to attend to one.

Cocktail Party Effect

The phenomenon where one can focus on a single conversation in a noisy environment and hear their name mentioned from another conversation.

Filter Model

Broadbent's model suggesting selection occurs at an early stage of information processing to prevent overload.

Attenuation Model

Treisman's model proposing that unattended information is not completely filtered out but attenuated for later processing.

Zoom Lens Model

A model suggesting that attention can shift in size to focus on specific stimuli.

Automatic Processing

Cognitive processes that occur with little or no conscious effort, allowing for simultaneous task performance.

Stroop Effect

A phenomenon demonstrating interference in reaction times when the color of a word does not match the name of the color.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

A psychiatric disorder characterized by difficulties in maintaining attention and impulsivity, often managed with stimulants.

Low Arousal Theory

The theory positing that individuals with ADD require excessive stimuli for adequate functioning due to low baseline arousal.

Feature Integration Theory (FIT)

A theory explaining visual attention whereby different features are processed separately before being integrated.