Attention
- Attention is a concept that refers to how we actively process specific information in our environment.
- Attention also refers to several other properties like alertness, concentration, and search. Attention plays a significant role in determining what is sensed and what is perceived.
Types:
- Selective attention: Selection of a limited number of stimuli or objects from a large number of stimuli. It may be affected by the characteristics of the stimuli or the individual’s motivation and cognitive factors.
- Sustained attention: It is concerned with the concentration, i.e ability to maintain attention for longer durations.
- Divided attention: When attending several things at the same time. For example, cooking and talking on the phone.
Characteristics:
- Attention is limited, both in terms of capacity and duration. It depends on our ability to stay on task including how interested we are in the stimulus and how many distractions we experience.
- Attention is selective. We are selective on what we decide to focus on. Certain stimuli are selected from a group of others.
- Attention is the basic part of the cognitive system. For example, the honk of a horn might alert us about an oncoming car.