Consciousness, Control and Attention

1
Consciousness, Control and Attention

• Executive Controller
• or
• Reactive Searchlight

2
Features of Attention

• Selectivity
• Attention limits what is processed
• Cocktail party effect
• Switchability
• Attention can be focused at will

3
Selective Attention

• Shadowing Task
• Two simultaneous conversations
• Track and repeat one conversation
• Basis of selection
• Spatial Location
• Pitch/gender of voice

4
Switchability

• Focus of attention can be changed on instruction
• Independence of Sensory Input
• Attention can be switched separately from focus
  of sensory system

5
Limitations of Attentional Control

• Stroop Effect
• Irrelevant competing input cannot be ignored
• Name Recognition Effect
• Automatic attentional focus on ones name
• Semantic Effects in Shadowing
• Focus on channel is impaired when meaning switches

6
Division of Attention

• Attention can be divided
• We can attend to more than one thing at a time
• But, divided attention means less attention to
  any one thing
• We can not give focal attention to multiple things

7
Automatic vs. Controlled Processing

• Automatic processing can be done with minimal
  mental effort
• Walking and talking
• Controlled processing requires mental effort
• Studying for an exam and solving a relationship
  problem