L9+10 - Attention

Question 1

hierarchical processing

Answer 1

low level –> high level sensory cortex

Question 2

reverse hierarchy

Answer 2

info from sensory cortex translated to motor outputs

Question 3

dichotic listening experiment (shadowing) shows:

Answer 3

limits of the perception-action cycle

Question 4

core function of attention - limited capacity (dichotic listening experiment)

Answer 4

selection

Question 5

overt orienting and attending

Answer 5

moving eyes and body in the direction of relevant stimulus - visible attention shift

Question 6

covert attention

Answer 6

invisible mental shift of focus

Question 7

brain structure responsible for overt attention

Answer 7

superior colliculus

Question 8

top-down attention

Answer 8

goal-driven, voluntary, controlled attention

Question 9

bottom-up attention

Answer 9

automatic, involuntary attention (‘grabbed’ by external stimuli)

Question 10

object based attention

Answer 10

focusing on particular object

Question 11

feature based attention

Answer 11

focusing on particular feature of an object (e.g. color)

Question 12

Posner cueing task - what is it + what type of attention?

Answer 12

reaction times to presented targets = faster at attended location - top-down attention

Question 13

shorter reaction times to primed location (even when subjects know that the cue is mostly invalid) - what type of attention?

Answer 13

bottom-up attention

Question 14

inhibition of return

Answer 14

longer time between the prime and the target = longer reaction time for the cued location –> actively suppressing attention to the location of the cue