Definition:

It is a relatively sustained selective perception. It is the direction and concentration of perception towards selected stimuli. It is the ability to focus, divide or sustain mental effort.

Selectivity and Attraction

Altering attention

Divided Attention

Focused Attention

sustainability

Flactuation of Attention

Distraction

I.

Selectivity and Attraction:

Many stimuli are competing for our attention. The factors that give advantage to one stimulus over the other are:
External Factors (stimulus): 1. Intensity of the stimulus. 2. Repetition of the stimulus. 3. Changeability. 4. Contrast. 5. Unfamiliarity. 6. Combination of sensory stimuli 7. Combination of factors. Internal Factors (individual):

Permanent Factors:

Temporal Factors:
Physical state Emotional state Set

IQ Sensory Fittness

II. Altering Attention:

Factors responsible for shift of attention from one stimulus to another:
Exploring Monotony

Spontaneity

Satisfaction

Fatigue

III. Divided attention:

Divided attention is the task of actively paying attention to more than one task at a time, and it is both important and common in every day life. It is rare for someone to be engaged in just one task. Talking on the phone while driving, doing homework while listening to music, and watching TV while preparing dinner are all examples of dividing our attention to several different tasks.

IV. Fluctuation:

This is a quantitative shift in the response to the same stimulus in contrast to the qualitative one from one stimulus to another

V. Focused Attention:

It is the ability to respond and pick out the important elements or figure of attention from the ground or background of external and internal stimulation.

VI. Sustainability:
Factors that help sustainability:
Interest

Distraction

sustainability

Curiosity

Punishment and praise

Causes of distraction:
External interfering stimuli
Comes from external environment

Internal stimuli
Hunger, thirst, full bladder or pain Depression, anxiety, fear, anger or phobia Preoccupation, obsessive rhumination, pressure of thought

Enteroceptive

Emotional disturbance

Thought disorders

Inattention

How to eliminate distraction?

Eliminate distracting stimuli Putting extra effort to original task Negative Adaptation

Types of Attention:

Active Attention Passive Attention

We consciously direct and sustain attention towards a certain stimulus Stimuli reach us without directing our attention to it

Fields of Attention:

Marginal
(outer field)

Lateral
(intermediate field)

Central

Disorders of Attention:
hyperprosexia Heightened attention Hypomania, obsession Inattention From simple inattention to stupor and coma Depression, schizophrenia Distractability Distraction by minor stimuli Anxiety, ADHD, mania

Information Processing