Chapter 4: Attention Flashcards
(38 cards)
Define “attention”
The ability to focus on specific stimuli or locations.
Define “selective attention”
Paying attention to one thing while ignoring others (e.g. Focusing on HW while others are talking)
Define “distraction”
When one stimulus interferes with the processing of another stimulus.
Define “divided attention”
Paying attention to more than one thing at a time
Define “attentional capture”
A rapid shifting of attention caused by a suddenly occurring stimulus (e.g. Loud noise) - adaptive!
What is the cocktail party effect?
The ability to focus on one stimulus while filtering out other stimuli.
What are the stages of Broadbent’s model of attention?
(Entrance of info)
1. Sensory memory: Holds ALL of the incoming info for a fraction of a second, then transfers it to the filter.
- Filter: Processes the PHYSICAL characteristics of the message (e.g. The tone, accent of the voice)
- Detector: Processes the higher-level characteristics, such as the MEANING of the message.
- Short-term memory: holds info for 10-15 seconds.
- Long-term memory: Can hold info indefinitely.
Why is Broadbent’s model referred to as a bottleneck model?
Because the filter restricts the amount of information that will be processed later on. (However, unlike a bottle, this filter doesn’t only slow the flow of info, but keeps a large portion of it from even getting through!)
Why is Broadbent’s model referred to as an early selection model?
Because the filter eliminates unattended/irrelevant info right at the BEGINNING of the flow of info!
What are the stages of Treisman’s attenuation model of selective attention?
- Attenuator
2. Dictionary unit
What is the role of the attenuator?
Processes the message in 3 parts:
1. Physical characteristics (tone, accent)
- Language (how the message is grouped into syllables and words)
- Meaning
(Note: The attenuator represents a process, and doesn’t involve a specific brain structure)
What is the role of the dictionary unit? What is the difference between high and low threshold words?
The DU contains words that are stored in memory, each of which have a threshold for being activated.
- HIGH threshold words can only be detected when we are paying full attention to it (e.g. Unimportant or uncommon words)
- LOW threshold words are easily detected, and we may respond even when they arrive through the unattended message channel (e.g. Our name)
Why is Treisman’s model referred to as the “leaky filter” model?
Because both the attended and unattended messages pass through the attenuator, only at different strengths!
- Attended and unattended messages are identified up to the necessary level (e.g. If the tone of voice is different, then only analyzed to physical level. If voices are similar, then move on to be analyzed at the language level)
- Both messages pass through, but the attended message emerges at FULL strength, while the unattended at a much weaker strength.
What is a late selection model?
How does Mackay’s experiment on biasing words and ambiguous sentences support this model?
Late selection models suggest that messages can be selected at a later stage of processing, based primarily on MEANING.
Mackay’s experiment:
- Ps were presented with ambiguous sentence in attended ear, and biasing word in unattended ear.
- Ps asked to pick sentence that most closely matches the ambiguous sentence.
- Results showed that ps picked meaning that matched the biasing word (e.g. Interpreted bank to mean riverbank if the biasing word was “river”)
Is the early or late selection model more accurate?
Neither - both early and late selection can be demonstrated, depending on the type of stimuli and task of the individual!
Define “processing capacity”
Amount of info that one can handle (sets a limit on one’s ability to process incoming info)
Define “perceptual load”
Perceived difficulty of task
*Low-load tasks use up a small amount of one’s processing capacity, while high-load tasks use up more of one’s processing capacity.
How does Lavie’s “load theory of attention” explain why people are more easily distracted when doing an easy/low-load task?
- Low-load tasks use fewer cognitive resources, which leaves room for processing irrelevant stimuli.
(On the other hand, high-load tasks use up a lot of cognitive resources, so we are less likely to be distracted)
How does Lavie’s “load theory of attention” explain why people are more easily distracted when doing an easy/low-load task?
- Low-load tasks use fewer cognitive resources, which leaves room for processing irrelevant stimuli.
(On the other hand, high-load tasks use up a lot of cognitive resources, so we are less likely to be distracted)
*However, the strength of task irrelevant stimuli also matters - e.g. If a siren wails while you are studying, you are likely to be distracted!
What is the Stroop effect? What does it illustrate about task-irrelevant stimuli?
Task: Ps were asked to name the color of the ink used to print words that described a different color (e.g. The word “yellow” printed in orange - ps had to say “orange”)
This is an example of how task-irrelevant stimuli (i.e. The word) can be very powerful, as reading words is a highly practiced, almost automatic process that is hard to ignore!)
Define “overt attention”
Shifting attention from one place to another by MOVING THE EYES
Define “covert attention”
Shifting attention from one place to another WHILE KEEPING EYES STATIONARY
What is the difference between central and peripheral vision? Why do we need to scan pictures to see details clearly?
Objects in central vision fall on the fovea, which has much better detail vision than the peripheral retina. Scanning pictures allows us to focus our central vision on different parts of a scene.
What is saccadic eye movement?
Moving eyes from one fixation to another in order to observe different parts of a scene.
