neuro final

Section 1: Attention

What is Attention?

• Arousal: Overall alertness level in individuals.

• Selective Attention: Focusing on specific stimuli (external sensory input or internal thought).

  • Overt Attention: Directly observable focus, such as eye movement.

  • Covert Attention: Attention without visible focus.

  • Cocktail Party Effect: The ability to filter out distractions to process relevant stimuli amidst background noise.

Characteristics of Attention

1. Limited Resource:

   • Example: When focusing on players in white, individuals may ignore others.

   • Inattentional Blindness: The phenomenon of failing to notice unexpected stimuli in the environment.

   • Divided-Attention Tasks: Tasks involving switching focus between multiple sources of information.

Attentional Filtering

1. Early-Selection Model:

   • Filters stimuli before they undergo perceptual analysis.

   • Example: Ignoring background chatter at the sensory input level.

2. Late-Selection Model:

   • Filters stimuli after perceptual analysis is completed.

   • Example: Recognizing a relevant sound only after processing its meaning.

3. Perceptual Load:

   • Integrates early and late selection models:

     • Complex Stimuli → Early selection is utilized.

     • Simple Stimuli → Late selection is utilized.

How is Attention Directed?

1. Voluntary Attention (Endogenous/Conscious):

   • Internally controlled, characterized by slower but sustained focus.

   • Top-Down Processing: Higher cognitive processes govern sensory input.

2. Reflexive Attention (Exogenous/Involuntary):

   • Triggered by sudden events, typically fast but short-lived.

   • Bottom-Up Processing: Sensory inputs stimulate higher-order processing.

Brain Regions in Attention

1. Dorsal Frontoparietal Network:

   • Responsible for controlling voluntary shifts in attention and planning eye movements.

2. Temporoparietal Network:

   • Engages in reflexive attention, particularly following unexpected events.

Section 2: Higher Cognition

Consciousness

• Definition: Awareness of self and one's surroundings.

• Key Brain Region: Claustrum, recognized for its extensive cortical connections.

Studying Consciousness

1. Cognitively Impenetrable: Refers to neural processing that cannot be simplified further.

2. Easy Problems: Measurable experiences, such as reactions to stimuli.

3. Hard Problems: Addressing subjective experiences, such as the concept of free will.

Executive Function (Higher-Order Cognition)

• Key Functions of Executive Function:

  1. Directing attention to priorities.

  2. Planning actions.

  3. Judging outcomes.

• Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) Subdivisions:

  1. Orbitofrontal PFC: Involved in goal setting and signaling expected outcomes.

  2. Dorsolateral PFC: Responsible for planning, judgment, and working memory.

Key Concepts for the Exam

1. Attention Models:

   • Differentiation between early vs. late selection models.

2. Types of Attention:

   • Distinction between voluntary vs. reflexive attention.

3. Brain Regions:

   • Networks engaged in attention and consciousness.

4. Consciousness:

   • Understanding the easy vs. hard problems related to consciousness.

5. Executive Function:

   • Role of the PFC in managing higher cognitive functions.

Study Guide Advice

• Focus on comprehending how attention operates, the processing in the brain, and the connection to higher cognitive functions.

• Seek areas of expansion or clarification on specific topics if needed!