Psych 251 - Attention (Topic 5)

Ie. Addresses problem of How to allocate limited resources in the service of behaviour

We need to prioritize information so we do not waste time and energy on irrelevant efforts

Source
-The "cause for directing one's attention

In the environment, reflexive, automatic "bottem up"

-A salient stimulus, eg: a loud clap, a shoarp pain, a bright flash, a sudden movement

In the mind, voluntary, intentional, top-down
-A desire, goal, or instruction. eg:
Qhat are they talking about, is this correct exit from highway-She told me to focus on the guy in the yellow shirt

Endogenous, external

Overt, sustained

-sensory information in the environment

-A sensory modality, spatial location, feature, or object eg:
-the sounds of the forest-the back of the classroom-the orange shirts of the opposing team-the doughnut in the display case

Mental representations, in the mind-a memory, imagery or a plan, eg:
-the license plate number of a hit and run driver-you and your significant other relaxing on a tropical island-the next step in a recipe you are cooking

-Overt vs Covert-Transient vs Sustained-Selective vs Divided

Overt: involces actual movement of the sensory surface, eg: moving the eyes, directing the earCovert: Does not involve actual movement, eg. "looking out of the corner of your eye" or eavesdropping on a conversation at the next table

Transient: Momentary focus on something - eg glancing at a stranger's face
Sustained: Prolonged focus on someting, eg. standing watch at a door for 2 hours