Attention

Definition

Attention is a cognitive process that allows individuals to selectively concentrate on a discrete aspect of their environment while ignoring other perceivable information. It is a major area of investigation within education, psychology, and neuroscience.

Overview

Attention is the behavioral and cognitive process of selectively concentrating on a discrete aspect of information, whether deemed subjective or objective, while ignoring other perceivable information. It is a state of arousal. As such, it is often likened to a spotlight that enhances the efficiency of the detection of signals at its focus. Cognitive psychologists often describe attention as a resource—a person has only so much attention to give, and therefore, must manage it wisely.

History

The study of attention has a long history within psychology. Some of the earliest empirical studies, conducted in the 19th century, involved simple binary detection tasks such as the recognition of a specific pattern or object in a field of distractions. These early studies paved the way for the more complex investigations of attention by 20th-century psychologists.

Theories of Attention

There are several major theories of attention, each of which has its own specific focus and set of assumptions.

Filter Theories

Filter theories propose that attention is like a gate or filter that either blocks or allows through stimuli to conscious awareness. The most well-known filter theory is Broadbent's filter model, which suggests that stimuli are filtered, or selected to be attended to, at an early stage during processing.

Capacity Theories

Capacity theories propose that attention is a resource that can be used up. According to these theories, attention is a finite resource that can only process a certain amount of information at once. The most well-known capacity theory is Kahneman's model, which suggests that the amount of attention capacity available for a task depends on the individual's arousal level.

Control Theories

Control theories propose that attention is not a passive process, but rather, an active and strategic one. These theories suggest that individuals can control their attention and use it strategically to process information in their environment. The most well-known control theory is the model proposed by Posner and Petersen, which suggests that attention is controlled by a network of brain areas that work together to allocate attention.

Neural Mechanisms of Attention

Attention is not localized within the brain but involves several different brain regions that are interconnected. The neuroscientific study of attention has revealed that these different brain areas are part of a large-scale network that includes the frontal and parietal lobes, the anterior cingulate, and several subcortical structures.

Attention in Education

In the field of education, attention is considered one of the most critical factors in successful learning. Teachers and educators strive to develop strategies and techniques to capture and maintain the attention of their students.

Attention Disorders

There are several disorders and conditions associated with attention, the most common of which is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Other conditions include attention deficit disorder (ADD), and various forms of cognitive impairment.