Attention Essay

Attention is a process that involves both cognitive and behavioral characteristics that allows for selective concentrate on specific areas or bits of information while ignoring other noticeable features in the surrounding environment. As such, attention refers to the mind’s possession of clear and vivid representations from a list of multiple objects at the same time. The ability to concentrate and focus is also known as the ability to deploy limited processing resources (Act for Libraries 2017).

This skill is integrated in the ability to actively scan the compound surrounds for a prospective appearance. Simply put, signal detection and vigilance is a person’s capacity to attend to stimuli over an extended period. During this time, the individual seeks to detect the appearance of a target of interest quickly. It is through this vigilant attention for signal detection that people can undertake quick actions following the detection of the anticipated stimulus (Act for Libraries, 2017).

Search

This function involves the ability to scan the complex human surrounding for specific existing items. Active search for specific stimuli is a regular occurrence for instance detection of smoke followed by searching for its source. The applicability of the search function is particularly relevant in the process of locating stimuli (Act for Libraries, 2017).

Selective Attention

This task refers to the capacity to attend to a particular stimulus while filtering out many others. This means that a person can decide to pay attention to one stimulus while ignoring another one. De-emphasis of other stimuli raises the point that selective attention allows for concentrated focus on particular stimuli (Act for Libraries, 2017). This means that it is possible to manipulate stimuli in the place of other cognitive processes for example problem-solving.

Divided Attention

Also referred to as simultaneous attention, divided attention incorporates the ability to process different information sources or stimuli successfully. It is the attention that facilitates the conduction of multiple tasks at the same time (Act for Libraries, 2017). Simply put, divided attention is what enable people to attend two more than one thing simultaneously.

Differences between Automatic and Controlled Processes in Attention.

Automatic processing is an entity that does not require one to pay attention, and it also doesn’t rely on the deliberate personal effort to control. It also takes place without spending much thought. If practiced for a long time, the process becomes automatic. Examples of automatic processing include driving where one controls a vehicle without being consciously aware of everything that he or she does. Other illustrations include piano playing, walking and so on.

On the contrary, controlled processing demands paying attention through deliberate efforts. It involves conscious awareness and thinking of the events followed by decision making. According to Hammar (2012), controlled processing is limited, slow and effortful which is utilized when undertaking unskilled tasks. A good example here is learning how to drive for the first time. In this case one has to put all efforts in paying attention to steering, braking, shifting and so on.

Example of Disorders of Attention

One of the most common examples of attention disorders is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is a mental condition where a person experience challenges when it comes to paying attention, prolonged intensive activities and also the struggle to control inappropriate behavior. Symptoms usually appear before 12 years of age and can lead to home and school issues including poor academic performance. Nevertheless, these individuals exhibit desirable attention spans for activities exciting to them (National Institute of Mental Health, 2016).

References

Act for Libraries, 2017. The Function of Attention. [Online] Available at: http://www.actforlibraries.org/the-function-of-attention/ [Accessed 8 December 2017].

Hammar, Å., 2012. Controlled Information Processing. In: N. Seel, ed. Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning. Boston: Springer.

National Institute of Mental Health, 2016. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. [Online] Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml [Accessed 8 December 2017].