-
Attention
the preferential processing of sensory information
-
How does Kinsbourne describe the key element of attention?
ignoring irrelevancies
-
Broadbent's Filter Theory of Attention
there must be some mechanism that selectively organizes and prioritizes the incoming information
-
process of filtering
input channels→ senses (eye, ear) → FILTER → selected input for attention
(filter selection based on physical characteristics only)
-
filter
the reticular activating system (RAS) of the reticular activating formation
-
Broadbent proposed a filter
- limited processing capacity, causing a bottleneck of sensory input
- there must be a sensory filter (a buffet for filtering)
- the filter occurs to the signal, prior to semantic analysis
- unprocessed stimuli fades
-
7 general attention types
- attentional awareness
- selective attention
- divided attention
- attention switching
- spare attention
- attention fatigue
- inattention
-
Model of attention
- awareness/alerting reactions: brainstem
- motor orientation: cerebellum
- novelty/excitement of learning: hippocampus
- supervising/organizing it all - as well as controlling even when not interesting: frontal lobe
-
3 effects of attention
- aids in detection of information
- increases speed of reaction time
- maintains alertness, awareness, and awakedness
-
change in brain activity due to attention
the flashlight analogy
-
The Flashlight analogy
- •attention works like a spotlight - moving to illuminate objects (brain regions) of interest
- •attention movement is independent of sensory position (attention shifts even though vision or listening sphere remains the same)
-
Parts of the brain involved with attention:
- pulvinar of the thalamus
- superior/inferior colliculi
- prefrontal and frontal lobes
- temporal lobe
-
frontal lobes enable us to:
- pay attention to tasks with focus
- concentration
- planning
- decision making
- learning
- remembering
-
frontal lobes control:
our emotions and cause us to behave in given situations
anger, frustration, and irritability are regulated in the frontal lobes
-
Three characteristics of Attention Deficit Disorder
- inattentiveness
- hyperactivity
- impulsivity
-
Two types of ADD
- hyperactive type (ADHD)
- inattentive type (ADD-IT)
|
|
