Cognitive psychology - attention - Arousal attention

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The Yerkes-Dodson Law

is a principle that describes the relationship between arousal and performance, stating that optimal performance occurs at moderate arousal levels. Too little or too much arousal can hinder performance.

Low Arousal (Sleepy, Fatigued)

is associated with decreased performance and attention, as individuals may struggle to focus or respond effectively to tasks.

Reduced vigilance, slow RTs, high lapse rate, poor selective filtering. Mind-wandering.

Optimal/Moderate Arousal

is the ideal state of arousal where performance and attention are maximized, leading to effective task engagement and attention. It balances between low and high levels of arousal.

Sharp selective attention, efficient sustained attention, good cognitive control.

High Arousal (Stressed, Anxious)

Hyper-vigilance to threats, impaired sustained focus on non-threats, reduced cognitive flexibility. "Tunnel vision."

Phasic Arousal Surge

Momentary hyper-focus. Brief, extreme enhancement of processing for a single salient event.

The Reticular Activating System (RAS)

[HOW] - The core hub in the brainstem (pons and medulla).

It integrates sensory input and regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Tonic arousal factor

Noradrenergic System (Locus Coeruleus-Norepinephrine)

The primary system for phasic alertness. The LC releases NE in response to salient or unexpected events, enhancing neural gain (signal-to-noise ratio) across the cortex, particularly boosting the processing of relevant stimuli.

“Attention reset”

Cholinergic System (Basal Forebrain-Acetylcholine):

Critical for sustained attention and cortical plasticity. ACh enhances sensory processing and suppresses the Default Mode Network, facilitating focused, task-relevant processing.

Dopaminergic System (Ventral Tegmental Area-Dopamine)

Linked to motivational arousal, reward expectancy, and cognitive effort. It guides attention toward goal-relevant stimuli and supports working memory.

Serotonergic System (Raphe Nuclei-Serotonin)

Modulates mood, behavioral inhibition, and cortical excitability. Imbalances can lead to arousal dysregulation seen in anxiety or depression.

Thalamic Gating

The thalamus acts as the "gateway to consciousness."

The arousal systems modulate thalamic nuclei, controlling the flow of sensory information to the cortex.

High arousal opens the gates wide; low arousal closes them.

Tonic Arousal

Tonic arousal is the baseline, enduring state (e.g., alert vs. sleepy).

Phasic Arousal

Phasic arousal is a brief, reactive surge to a specific event (e.g., an orienting response).

Drivers

Norepinephrine, Acetylcholine, Dopamine, Serotonin

[STUDIED] Electroencephalography (EEG)

Alpha waves (8-12 Hz) dominate during relaxed wakefulness

Beta waves (13-30 Hz) increase with active alertness

Theta waves (4-7 Hz) increase with drowsiness.

Circadian Rhythms

Fluctuates daily (peak alertness ~late morning).

Suprachiasmatic nucleus drives biological clock, influencing RAS and hormone (cortisol) release.

Sleep & Fatigue

Decreases tonic arousal.

Reduces neural metabolic recovery and depletes neuromodulators.

Stimulants (Caffeine)

Increases arousal.

Antagonizes adenosine receptors, indirectly increasing dopamine and NE activity.

Stress & Anxiety

Increases arousal, often maladaptively.

Activates the HPA axis (cortisol) and sympathetic nervous system (adrenaline, NE).

Sensory Stimulation

Novel, intense, or meaningful stimuli cause phasic increases.

Activates LC-NE system and salience network.

Exercise

Moderate exercise increases arousal acutely; regular exercise improves regulation.

Increases core body temperature, blood flow, and releases endorphins and monoamines.

Motivation & Interest

Increases/Modulates arousal.

Mesolimbic dopamine system engages, linking reward to effortful attention.

Core Principle

Arousal is the foundational fuel for attention.

You cannot have functional attention without appropriate arousal.

It is the ultimate biological constraint on cognition, explaining why we can't think clearly when tired, panicked, or bored, and why managing our state is the first step to mastering our focus.