Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Aufmerksamkeit / Español: Atención / Português: Atenção / Français: Attention / Italiano: Attenzione /

Attention refers to the ability to concentrate. The ability to focus selectively on a selected stimulus, sustaining that focus and shifting it at will.

Attention are cognitive resources, mental effort, or concentration devoted to a cognitive process.

Moreover, Attention is defined as the process of seeking out and focusing on stimuli that are of interest in a way that causes these stimuli to become more deeply processed than those that are not receiving our attention. So, Attention refers to the active cognitive processing of a limited amount of information from the vast amount of information available through the senses, in memory and through cognitive processes; focus on a small subset of available stimuli.

Description

Attention in psychology refers to the cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment while ignoring other things. It is essential for various cognitive functions such as learning, memory, and problem-solving. Attention can be voluntary or involuntary, depending on the situation and individual's control. It is also influenced by factors such as arousal level, motivation, and past experiences. Researchers often study attention to understand how it impacts perception, behavior, and overall cognitive functioning. Attention can be divided into different types, including selective attention, divided attention, sustained attention, and executive attention.

Application Areas

• Educational settings to enhance learning and academic performance
• Clinical psychology for diagnosing and treating attention-related disorders
• Occupational psychology to improve workplace productivity and focus
• Sports psychology to enhance athletes' focus and performance

Treatment and Risks

• Behavioral therapies for attention-related disorders such as ADHD
• Medication management for individuals with severe attention deficits
• Risks associated with attention deficits include decreased academic performance, impaired social interactions, and reduced overall quality of life

Examples

• Focusing on a particular book while studying in a noisy environment is an example of selective attention
• Multitasking by responding to emails while participating in a conference call demonstrates divided attention
• Trying to maintain consistent focus while driving long distances showcases sustained attention

Similar Concepts and Synonyms

• Concentration
• Focus
• Awareness
• Vigilance

Weblinks

• quality-database.eu: 'Attention' in the glossary of the quality-database.eu
• medizin-und-kosmetik.de: 'Aufmerksamkeit' im Lexikon von medizin-und-kosmetik.de (German)

Articles with 'Attention' in the title

• Attention and Concentration Control (focusing): Attention and Concentration Control (focusing) Skill commonly used to help individuals identify their current situation and the relevant stimuli within that situation
• Attention Deficit Disorder: Attention Deficit Disorder refers to a chronic, developmental and behavioral disorder that initially manifests in childhood that is characterized by inattention, Distractibility and- impulsivity that is inappropriate for a person's age leve . . .
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) refers to a chronic disorder that initially manifests in childhood and is characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention
• Attention hypothesis of automatization: Attention hypothesis of automatization refers to the proposal that attention is needed during a learning phase of a new task. The attention hypothesis of automatization is a theory in cognitive psychology that explains how people learn to p . . .
• Attention only control group: Attention only control group refers to a control group whose members meet regularly with a clinician but receive no "active" treatment. In psychology research, an attention-only control group is a type of control group used to isolate the e . . .
• Attention-grabbing: Attention-grabbing in the context of psychology refers to stimuli or actions that effectively capture and hold an individual's focus or awareness. This concept is significant in understanding how certain features of the environment or asp . . .
• Divided attention: Divided attention means allotting mental space or effort to various tasks or parts of a task. The ways in which a cognitive processor allocates cognitive resources to two (2) or more tasks that are carried out simultaneously
• Extended selective attention: Extended selective attention : Extended selective attention refers to overly extended attentional focus and an inappropriate delay in shifting attention
• Focus-execute attention: Focus-execute attention is defined as the ability to respond and pick out the important elements or "figure" of attention from the "ground " or background of external and internal stimulation
• Focused attention: Focused attention is attending to one information source, while disregarding other sources of information- a form of selective Attention involving the restriction of Attention to a sp- ecific feature, or set of features, to the exclusion of . . .
• Joint attention: Joint attention when two or more people are focusing on the same stimulus. Other /More definition: joint attention refers to the ability to coordinate one’s focus of attention on another person and an object of mutual interest.
• Shift attention: Shift attention refers to an element of Attention involving the movement of attentional focus from one stimuli or task to a nother.
• Sustained attention: Sustained attention refers to the ability to maintain a persistent focus of Attention over time or when fatigued. Moreover, it Sustained Attention to the ability to maintain an eff- ortful response over time
• Attentional capture: Attentional capture refers to the ability of motion to attract attention. Likewise, Attentional capture is a phenomenon in which certain stimuli seem to "pop out” and require a perso n to shift cognitive resources to them, automatically
• Attentional overload: Attentional overload refers to a stressful Condition caused when Sensory stimulation, information, and social contacts make excessive demands on attention

Summary

Attention in psychology refers to the cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment while ignoring others. It plays a crucial role in various cognitive functions and is influenced by different factors. Researchers study attention to understand its impact on perception, behavior, and cognitive functioning.

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