Cognitive chapter 4

Treisman’s Attenuation (Leaky Filter) Theory (1964)

Basically there is an Attenuator in our processing fat decides what is relevant and quiets, but not silence, that irrelevant information. It explains why some information still gets through even when we are focusing on something else; our names, swear words, aka attention grabbing things

Conway et al. (2001)

An experiment on the interaction between working memory and attention. Subjects were split into high and low working memory. The high working memory subjects were able to focus better and not be distracted by their name being called

Working memory

Is our system that temporarily holds information so we can use and manipulate it in tasks. For example, remember and repeating a string of numbers or Simon

Feature-integration theory of attention (Tristan & Gelade 1980)

Attention is a two stage process: first automatically and then with consciousness. We automatically identify the features and then combine the features into a whole picture for interpretation

Treisman & Gelade (1980)

An experiment on Feature Integration.

Inattentional blindness

Missing something obvious usually because you are focused on something intently; the gorilla

Change blindness

Inability to identify visual changes between images. Sometimes not even noticing the person in front of you has changed

Raymond, Shapiro and Arnell (1992)

A experiment that proves that attention is a resource and it can be used up and needs time to “refresh”. Subjects were shown letters in a quick succession and must press a button to indicate it.

Vigilance: Mackworth Clock Experiment (1948)

An experiment where subjects were detecting when radar skips. Performance declines in the first hour to 70% and stays there for as time continues. Shows that attention is a resource and through time can be used

Daniel Kahneman’s Capacity Theory of Attention (1973)

Based on how motivation affects the attention system. It says attention varies with the complexity of the task(s) and how mentally energized we are

Cognitive effort: Kahneman’s test (1973)

Putting his theory to the test, subjects performed tasks for high or low reward. The results showed that task difficulty, not reward predicted the effort. This shows ability to focus does not vary with intent; aka no matter how much you want it you cannot work harder for it

Selective attention

Focusing on one particular thing while surrounded by others things

Controlled/focused attention

Voluntary, effortful focus on a goal; reading a book or driving

Input/automatic attention

Involuntarily captured by stimulus; crying baby or yelling

Attention span

How long you can focus on something intently

Divided attention

Focusing on two things at the same time; listening and writing or talking and driving

Multitasking

Switching between tasks; we are not very good at this

Cognitive flexibility

Capability to switch between tasks; linked to multitasking

Mindfulness

Being aware of the present moment and yourself

Bottom up attention

Automatic, involuntary attention; exogenous (external) cues; stimulus or data driven

Top down attention

Voluntary, controlled attention; endogenous (internal) cues; goal driven

Cherry (1953)

An experiment using the dichotic listening task. Results showed that subjects were even aware of the content of the unattended message

Broadbent’s Early Filter Model (1954)

Bottleneck theory: completely filters out information and keeps what is important. Limited capacity: only can focus on one thing at a time and the rest is filtered out (?)

Mechanical Model of Human Attention Broadbent (1975)

A y-shaped tube that can only accept a single ball at a time (limited capacity). The hinged flap represents the filter, which takes time swing from one ear to another to shift attention

Broadbent (1954)

Evidence for his model. Subjects were presented 3 digits in each ear and asked to recall them; 65% accuracy. Improved performance on longer intervals demonstrates it takes time to switch attention

Cocktail party phenomenon

Demonstrating input/automatic attention. A phenomenon where even in a loud crowd or while in conversation we can hear when our name is called

Strayer & Johnson (2001. 2003)

An experiment on the risk involved with phones and driving. Talking on the phone, in hand or hands free, interfere with performance because attention was split between the two tasks

ADHD and Top down Attention

ADHD involves deficits in executive function, reduced top down (controlled attention, reduced behavioral regulation

Cherry and Kruger (1983)

A experiment where children, some with ADHD and others without, perform the dichotic listening task. Children with ADHD performed poorly, can’t regulate their attention with distraction, but perfectly fine with no distractions in the unattended ear

Unilateral spatial neglect (visual neglect)

Causes attentional blindness to the left visual field. Caused by damaged to the right parietal lobe

Simultanagnosia (Bálint’s syndrome)

It when perception or recognition is limited to a single object at a time. Caused by damaged to parietal-occipital or occipito-temporal junction

Blindsight

Functionally blind but may be able to report color, shape, and motion. Caused damage by visual cortex

Stroop task

A task that shows the difference between automatic and focused attention. In this task subjects must say the color of a word when the word spells a different color. It also shows that reading is an automatic process and we must use focused attention to perform the task