Human Attention Flashcards
(11 cards)
Resource Allocation
Attention is the mechanism that allocates cognitive resources to
activities and tasks
Operating systems manage computing resources like CPU, memory, and I/O.
Similarly, the human cognitive system allocates attention and memory to tasks.
Some tasks can be done in parallel or automatically, while others require focused effort.
Cognitive load varies, affecting how well tasks are performed
Hierarchical Model of Attention
Divided Attention-
Attend different tasks at
the same time
Alternating Attention-
Switching focus between
two or more stimuli or activities
Selective Attention-
Attention to a specific stimulus in the
presence of distracting stimuli
Sustained Attention-
Concentration on an activity over a
longer period of time
Focused Attention-
Focus on a particular stimulus or thought
Arousal-
Activation level, alertness (how tired or energized)
Focussed Attention – Spotlight Model
Only what the spotlight
illuminates can be seen,
everything else is
in the dark
Focused Attention – Working Memory
Focused attention controls what enters working memory.
It brings selected information into conscious awareness, making it available for processing.
It can be triggered by:
Perception (external stimuli like sights or sounds),
or Thought (internal focus or memories).
The capacity of working memory is limited, and this limitation is defined by how much information can be actively focused on at once.
selective attention
Filter Model:
Our brains apply a selective filter early in sensory processing.
Only selected sensory input (like sounds or sights) is passed on for deeper processing.
Visual Attention Control:
Overt Attention: Refers to what we visibly focus on, i.e., where our eyes are directed.
Covert Attention: Refers to what we mentally notice without directly looking at it—perceived in peripheral vision
Auditory Attention Control
- Attenuation model
- Information is not filtered but volume is turned
down - Cocktail Party Effect
- Ability to focus on one conversation
- Still processing other conversations in the
background - Attention to familiar voices, sounds, topics
Bottom-up visual attention
Attention is often driven by visual stimuli.
Salience refers to how much a feature stands out from its surroundings.
Salient features (like bright colors or strong contrast) naturally draw our attention.
Pop-out features are especially noticeable — they capture attention involuntarily.
This means we tend to notice them automatically, without trying.
Saliency Maps
A saliency Map is an image in which the brightness of a pixel
represents saliency
- Highlighting regions of interest in an image
- Used in computer vision and image processing
- Object recognition, landmark
detection, et
Multiple Resource Model
Perception and cognition share working memory resources, which are limited.
We can process new stimuli even while still responding to earlier ones.
Modality matters:
Different modalities (like visual, auditory, tactile) use different cognitive resources.
There are distinct systems for:
Foveal (detailed) vision vs. peripheral awareness.
Spatial information (where things are) vs. semantic information (what things mean).
Inattentional Blindness
Not noticing information that is in plain view
because we are not directing any attention to it
change blindness
Changes on displays can go unnoticed when they
happen while the user blinks (~300-400 ms) or
when the display is redrawn
