3.4 attention

overt attention

when our eyes and attention focus on the same target

covert attention

the mind focuses on somewhere in your visual field without moving your eyes

cocktail party effect

selective attention filters out distractions and focuses on a particular target

inattentional blindess

failure to perceive perceive things when focusing on something else

sustained attention task

tests how long you can focus on one task over an extended period of time

symbolic cueing task

measures reaction time for responding to a stimuli after receiving a symbolic cue

feature search

where the target pops out right away due to a unique attribute

perceptual load

how much of our perceptual resources are used to process different stimuli

the harder the task…

the less attention left for other tasks

peripheral spatial cuing task

uses a brief sensory cue to direct one’s attention to a location

visual search

scanning the world to find a specific target

conjunction search

based on two or more features that both distinguish the target

superior colliculus

guides movement of eyes towards objects we’re focusing on

pulvinar nucleus of the thalamus

visual processing, orienting and shifting attention, filtering of stimuli

2 networks working to choose and change attention

1. dorsal frontoparietal

2. dorsal tempoparietal

temporoparietal junction

steers attention toward new stimuli

instraparietal sulcus

voluntary attention control

frontal eye field

directs gaze based on goals

hemispatial neglect

no attention paid to one side of the body

damage on the right hemisphere of the brain…

failure to pay attention to left side of the body

change blindness

failure to notice a sudden change in the environment