CP684 Attention

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CP684 Attention Automaticity
principles and applications

• Orientation reflex - controlled / purposeful
  attention
• Selective Attention
• Filter Theory
• Attenuation Theory
• Late selection theory
• Multimode Theory
• Attention, Capacity and Mental Effort
• Divided Attention
• Automaticity and Effects of Practice

2
Methodology

• Biaurial listening tasks ??very difficult
• two messages
• into both ears simultaneously
• Dichotic listening tasks ???much easier
• same simultaneous two messages (inputs)
• but each is sent into only one ear
• Coctail party phenomenon
• Cherry (1953)Simultaneous inputs separated at
  the stage of sensory reception (two different
  ears, or different colours or even modalities)
  are easier to focus on!

3
Filter Theory

• Broadbent (1958) attentional filter (bottlen
  eck)sensory register selective filter
  detection device working memory

• preattentive analysis (Neisser, 1967)
• pop-out effects

4
Attenuation model

• Problems with Filter not everything is blocked
• Moray (1959) important material (eg, your name,
  alarms / emergency signals ) CAN penetrate the
  filter
• Treisman (1960, 1964) turning down - not
  blocking - of unattended material

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A.Treisman Levels of Processing
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A.Treismans Attenuation model sensory
register selective filter
detection device working memory
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Late Selection Models

• Deutch Deutch (1963) - Further extension by
  Norman, (1968)
• all messages are processed for meaning! -
• the one to respond to is selected relatively
  late in processing

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Attention, Capacity Mental Effort

• not a filter but a spotlight
• capable of refocusing resources
• Kahneman (1973) Attention Effort Model
• focus depends on
• arousal ( state of alertness)
• taks demands
• resource allocation policy
• enduring dispositions
• momentary intentions
• Predicted we pay more attention to things
• we are interested in
• we are in the mood for
• we judge to be important

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Divided AttentionSpelke, Hirst Neisser
(1976)if Attenntion is a flexible system for
allocating resources, and if tasks differ in the
amount of required attention, then pepole should
be able to perform two (or more) tasks at once
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Divided Attention Spelke, Hirst Neisser
(1976)reading speeds duting practice phase off
learning to do two things at once
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Divided Attention Neisser Becklen (1975)
selective looking task
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Divided Attention Neisser Becklen (1975)
selective looking task
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Automaticity and Effects of Practice

• The Stroop Effect name colours
  below!blueredbrowngreenpurple

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find a blue cross below X X
O X OO O X X O XO
XO O O X X X X O X O X X O X
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find a blue cross below X X O X
OO O X X O XO XO O O X X
X X O X O X X O X