3rd_Lecture__Attention_in_Cognitive_Psychology

3rd Lecture: Attention in Cognitive Psychology

1. What is Attention?

• Selective cognitive process filtering relevant information from sensory input, memory, and other cognitive functions.

• Involves both conscious and unconscious mechanisms.

2. Four Main Functions of Attention

1. Signal Detection & Vigilance

• Identifying important stimuli in a distracting environment.

• Signal Detection Theory (SDT): Explains how people detect key stimuli amidst noise.

• Vigilance: Sustained attention to detect specific stimuli over time.

2. Search

• Actively scanning for a target while ignoring distractors.

• Theories of Search:

  • Feature Integration Theory (Treisman): Basic features processed automatically; complex searches require effort.

  • Similarity Theory: The more similar the target and distractors, the harder the search.

  • Guided Search Theory: Two stages—parallel (broad activation) followed by serial (detailed evaluation) of potential targets.

3. Selective Attention

• Filtering out irrelevant stimuli to focus on important information.

• Models of Selective Attention:

  • Broadbent’s Filter Model: Information selectively filtered early in processing.

  • Attenuation Model: Unattended stimuli are not fully blocked but weakened.

4. Divided Attention (Multitasking)

• Allocating attention to multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Question of effectiveness: We can multitask, but performance may suffer.

3. When Attention Fails

• Causes: Blood flow deficits in the frontal lobe (higher cognition) and basal ganglia (motor functions).

• Examples of Attention Deficits:

  • ADHD: Linked to genetics, prenatal factors (e.g., maternal smoking, alcohol), lead exposure, and food additives.

  • Change Blindness: Failing to notice changes in a visual scene.

  • Inattentional Blindness: Missing obvious stimuli due to focused attention (e.g., “Did you see the gorilla?” experiment).

4. Habituation & Adaptation

• Habituation: Decreased response to repeated stimuli.

• Dishabituation: Regaining sensitivity to a stimulus after a change.

• Adaptation: Sensory adjustment to continuous exposure (e.g., tuning out background noise).

5. Automatic vs. Controlled Processes

Automatic Processes

• Require little/no effort.

• Process in parallel (multiple processes occur simultaneously).

• Unconscious and fast.

Controlled Processes

• Require conscious effort.

• Process serially (one process at a time).

• Slow and deliberate.

Automatization

• With practice, controlled processes become automatic (e.g., learning to drive).

6. Conscious & Preconscious Processing

• Priming: Exposure to one stimulus influences response to a later stimulus.

  • Example: Seeing the word "nurse" makes recognizing "doctor" easier.