Attention and ADHD Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts, theories, and definitions related to attention and ADHD as discussed in the provided lecture notes.

What theory suggests that unattended information is filtered out early in processing?

Early Selection Theory (Broadbent, 1958).

What is the Cocktail Party Problem?

The challenge of focusing on one conversation while several are happening simultaneously.

What is the Dichotic Listening Task used for?

To assess focused auditory attention by having participants focus on one input while ignoring another.

What is the result of the Dichotic Listening Task concerning changes in the ignored message?

Participants often do not notice changes in the non-attended message. Participants often reported intrusions ot break through from the non attended message

What does the Late Selection Theory propose?

That all information is processed for meaning, but not all is consciously perceived (Deutsch and Deutsch, 1963).

What is Inattentional Blindness?

The failure to notice an unexpected object while focused on another task. Eg the invisible gorilla- eye tracking studies show that participants do look the gorilla (somethimes for over a second but do not see it)

What are common symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, forgetfulness, difficulty starting and finishing tasks, emotional dysregulation, low tolerance for boredom

What are the three types of ADHD identified in the DSM-V?

Combined, predominantly inattentive, and predominantly hyperactive/impulsive. Symptom must be present before age 12, for at least 6 months. must be present in two or more symptoms.

What is Unilateral Spatial Neglect?

A condition where individuals experience half a world due to brain injuries. Usually, lesions are focused on right middle cerebral artery. (the skewed clock)

What are the different types of attention?

There are several types of attention, including selective attention, divided attention, sustained attention, and alternating attention, each serving different functions in processing information.

What is selective attention?

Selective attention is the process by which a person focuses on one specific stimulus while ignoring others. This allows individuals to prioritize certain information over distractions, facilitating effective decision-making and task performance.

What is divided attention?

Divided attention refers to the ability to process multiple sources of information simultaneously. It supports multitasking, where a person can engage in two or more activities at the same time, although performance on each task may be reduced.

What is sustained attention?

Sustained attention, also known as vigilance, involves maintaining focus on a specific task or stimulus over a prolonged period. It is essential for tasks that require continuous monitoring, such as watching for changes in an environment.

What is alternating attention?

Alternating attention is the capacity to shift focus between different tasks or stimuli. This type of attention is important for individuals who must frequently switch their attention between various activities, maintaining efficiency and effectiveness.

what is early selection theory (Broadbent 1958)?

Unattended information gets filtered out as early on as its NOT processed for meaning .

what are criticisms of early selection theory?

Some meaning is processed from the non-attended message ( e.g, Moray 1969). Practice with dichotic listening can improve the recall if the non-attended message ( underwood 1974)

what are criticims of late selection theory?

why is the target identification in the non attended message so poor? Deutch and Deutch never specified what ‘important imput’ meansd

What is Attenuator theory and who is it by ?

Treisman (1964)- All inputs are processed; however, some inputs are attenuated/ reduced. Based on evidence of ‘breakthrough’ information from the unattended message.

what is focused visual attention

an active scan of the visual environment for a particular object or feature (the target ) among other objects or features (distraction)

what does Wolfe et al 2007 say about visual search tasks in reality

The more we practice, the better we get- eg rare items are harder to detect in airport detection. Top down processes: expectation of how frequent items change the outcome. Simalarity of items make things more difficult

what is change blindness?

Change blindness is a phenomenon where a change in a visual stimulus goes unnoticed by the observer, often due to the lack of attention or disruption in the visual field. There is a blank screen between two visual scenes.

what are some possible indicators of ADHD

poor consentration, struggle to be organised, constantly on the go, less aware of danger, strained family and peer relationships.

what can be some differantial diagnosis

problems with sleep, depression, anxiety, autism, bipolar, absense seizures

what are some shared features of ADHD

Atypical sensory processing- autism, dyspraxia. Working memory deficits - dyslexia, ADHD. Anxiety- Autism,Dyslexia,Dyscalcuila.

how can ADHD potentially impact school?

struggle to concentrate, sit still, and think before acting. Social interactions are more difficult. They are rejected by peers (Gardner & Gerdes 2013). They are excluded from schools.

What potential impact can ADHD have on life?

being hunted by monsters and having to join a camp for halfbloods. substance abuse (Lee at al 2011), likelyhoof of involvment in the justice system (25 - 26% , Baggio et al 2018). low self esteem (Harpin et al 2016)

What are strengths of ADHD ?

rapid decision making, high energy, creativity, hyperfocus on tasks that interest them, resilliance, multitaksing, big picture thinking, cool in crisis

what are some challanges people with adhd may face?

impulsivity, hyperactivity, distracitibily, difficulty focusing on tasks that do not interest them.

what are some treatments of ADHD?

ADHD focused group parenting training program for children under 5 NICE 2018. Drugs - Uk emphasises parent training an dbehviour strategies, Sever cases drugs - stimulants eg Ritalin) after the age of 5.