Week 9A – Divided Attention and Automaticity Essay-style Practise Exam

2 Mark Questions

Define divided attention.
   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

Describe two determining factors of success in divided attention.
__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

4 Mark Questions

Explain the concept of task difficulty as it relates to divided attention.
   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

Outline how task similarity affects performance in divided attention tasks.

__________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

6 Mark Questions

Discuss how practice influences divided attention according to the research of Spelke, Hirst & Neisser (1976).

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

Evaluate the concept of the Psychological Refractory Period (PRP) and its significance in understanding divided attention.
   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

   __________________________________________________________________________

10 Mark Questions

Assess the theoretical models of divided attention (Central Capacity Models vs. Multiple Resource Models).

Discuss the implications of automatic vs. controlled processing in the context of divided attention, citing relevant studies.

Choose 1 essay question

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Essay Style Questions with Mark Schemes

2 Mark Questions

Question: Define divided attention.
Mark Scheme:
- 1 mark for a correct definition that includes the concept of multi-tasking or attending to multiple sources of information simultaneously.
- 1 mark for an example of divided attention in everyday life (e.g., driving while talking).
Question: Identify two determining factors of success in divided attention.
Mark Scheme:
- 1 mark for each correctly identified factor (e.g., task difficulty, task similarity, task timing, practice).

4 Mark Question

Question: Explain the concept of task difficulty as it relates to divided attention.
Mark Scheme:

2 marks for explaining that harder tasks consume more cognitive resources, thus diminishing the ability to perform secondary tasks effectively.
2 marks for providing an example or referencing experimental evidence (e.g., Sullivan, 1976).

Question: Outline how task similarity affects performance in divided attention tasks.

Mark Scheme:

2 marks for explaining that tasks sharing modalities interfere more than those that do not.
2 marks for providing an example or referencing relevant research (e.g., Treisman & Davies, 1973).

6 Mark Question

Question: Discuss how practice influences divided attention according to the research of Spelke, Hirst & Neisser (1976).
Mark Scheme:

2 marks for explaining the nature of the study and the method used.
2 marks for discussing the findings about improved task performance over time.
2 marks for evaluating the limitations of the study, such as the focus on accuracy instead of reaction time.

Question: Evaluate the concept of the Psychological Refractory Period (PRP) and its significance in understanding divided attention.

Mark Scheme:

2 marks for explaining what the PRP is and how it demonstrates a cognitive bottleneck.
2 marks for discussing findings from key studies that support the PRP effect.
2 marks for offering a critical evaluation of its implications for understanding attention limitations.

10 Mark Question

Question: Assess the theoretical models of divided attention (Central Capacity Models vs. Multiple Resource Models).
Mark Scheme:

2 marks for explaining Central Capacity Models' idea of a single pool of resources.
2 marks for explaining Multiple Resource Models' idea of separate modular resources for different tasks.
2 marks for discussing the implications of these models for understanding task interference.
2 marks for evaluating strengths and weaknesses of each model with examples.
2 marks for a well-structured conclusion summarizing the assessment.

Question: Discuss the implications of automatic vs. controlled processing in the context of divided attention, citing relevant studies.

Mark Scheme:

2 marks for defining automatic and controlled processes clearly.
2 marks for discussing the Stroop Effect as evidence for automatic processing interfering with controlled tasks.
2 marks for analyzing the implications of automaticity for multitasking in daily life.
2 marks for evaluating the strengths and limitations of the distinction between automatic and controlled processes with examples.
2 marks for a coherent conclusion summarizing the discussion and its relevance to divided attention.