MC

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.