Springer Discussion 3: attention

Selective Attention

Definition

• Selective attention is defined as the cognitive process of focusing on a small number of sensory stimuli (both external and internal) while ignoring irrelevant sensory inputs (McLeod, 2018; Murphy et al., 2016).

• It helps prevent overload of the informational processing system.

Importance

• Critical for daily functioning and cognitive processes.

• Plays a role in child therapy, particularly in behavior management techniques.

Related Disorders

• Associated features with ADHD, where children may exhibit executive functioning difficulties alongside selective attention deficits (Brodeur & Pond, 2001).

Theories of Selective Attention

Early Theories

• Bottleneck Theories: Focus on the flow and filtering of information.

  • Broadbent’s Filter Theory (1958):

    • Stimuli enter a sensory buffer, which filters based on physical characteristics (e.g., frequency, location).

    • Selective filter only allows certain stimuli to be processed.

    • Criticism: The “cocktail party effect” suggests meaning is extracted before filtering.

• Late Selection Theory (Deutsch & Deutsch, 1963):

  • All stimuli analyzed for meaning but not all allowed past the filter; selection occurs based on physical characteristics and relevance of stimuli.

• Attenuation Theory (Treisman, 1964):

  • Stimuli are not filtered but attenuated, meaning they enter the sensory register at a lower intensity.

  • Unattended messages can be combined and understood in dichotic listening tasks.

Recent Theories

• Perceptual Load Theory:

  • Highlights processing demands of tasks.

  • Irrelevant stimuli are harder to ignore with low perceptual load.

  • Criticism: Operationalizing perceptual load is challenging, affecting accuracy of research.

• Cognitive Load:

  • Refers to internal resources needed for selective attention.

  • High cognitive load can lead to increased distraction by irrelevant stimuli.

• Dilution Theory (Tsal & Benoni, 2010):

  • Argues support for perceptual load theory may stem from dilution of irrelevant stimuli interference.

• Hybrid Theory:

  • Integrates aspects of both perceptual load and dilution theories.

Selective Attention in Child Psychology

• Essential to daily functioning, especially in children with ADHD, who show executive functioning deficits.

• Older children perform better in selective attention tasks than younger children, linking developmental factors to cognitive load (Brodeur & Pond, 2001).

• Intentional Application:

  • Used in child therapy to reinforce positive behaviors while ignoring negative ones (discriminative attention).

  • Active ignoring involves withholding attention until problematic behavior ceases, reversing patterns of maladaptive behaviors.

Conclusion

• Understanding selective attention is vital for effective cognitive processing and can help in behavior management techniques in pediatric psychology.

References

• Broadbent, D. (1958). Perception and communication. London: Pergamon Press.

• Brodeur, D. A., & Pond, M. (2001). The development of selective attention in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 29(3), 229–239.

• Deutsch, J. A. & Deutsch, O. (1963). Attention: some theoretical considerations. Psychological Review, 70, 80–90.

• Girard, E. I., et al. (2018). Parent-child interaction therapy with toddlers. New York, NY: Springer International Publishing.

• Lavie, N., & Tsal, Y. (1994). Perceptual load as a major determinant of the locus of selection in visual attention. Perception & Psychophysics, 56, 183–197.

• McLeod, S. A. (2018). Selective attention. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/attention-models.html

• Murphy, G., et al. (2016). Twenty years of load theory – Where are we now, and where should we go next? Psychonomics Bulletin and Review, 23(5), 1316–1340.

• Patterson, G. R. (1982). A social learning approach: 3. Coercive family process. Eugene: Castalia.

• Scalf, P. E., et al. (2013). Competition explains limited attention and perceptual resources: Implications for perceptual load and dilution theories. Frontiers in Psychology, 4, 243.

• Treisman, A. (1964). Selective attention in man. British Medical Bulletin, 20(1), 12–16.

• Tsal, Y., & Benoni, H. (2010). Diluting the burden of load: Perceptual load effects are simply dilution effects. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 36, 1645–1656.