Lecture on Attention and Perception

Introduction

• Challenge Exercise: Count yellow stars and red X's on the screen simultaneously.
• Outcome of Challenge: Difficult due to divided attention; totals were 15 yellow stars and 13 red X's, with one smiley face.

Attention as a Resource

• Limited Resource: Attention is finite; focusing on one task at the expense of others.
• Divided Attention:
  • Example: Watching TV while studying.
  • Result: Task-switching occurs rather than simultaneous processing.

Selective Attention

• Definition: Focusing on one thing at a time, like a flashlight beam in a dark room.
• Task Example: Counting stars and X’s required flipping focus.

Cues Influencing Attention

• Types of Cues:
  • Exogenous Cues: External, no need for intention (e.g., bright colors, loud noises). These can cause the pop-out effect, such as a distinct colored shape.
  • Endogenous Cues: Internalized, higher order, requiring knowledge and intention (e.g., understanding arrows).

The Cocktail Party Effect

• Definition: Ability to focus on a singular voice amidst many others.
• Example: Hearing your name at a family dinner, shifting attention despite prior focus.
• Cue Type: Endogenous, as it relies on the meaning of your name.

Inattentional Blindness

• Definition: Failing to notice stimuli in your visual field when focused elsewhere.
• Example: Missing the smiley face during the initial challenge.
• Real-World Application: Overlook common items like fire extinguishers due to focused attention elsewhere.

Change Blindness

• Definition: Failure to notice changes in the environment.
• Difference from Inattentional Blindness: Missing changes vs. missing something visible.
• Example: Not noticing a haircut or rearranged furniture.
• Research Example: A person swapping during a street direction inquiry with minimal detection.

Conclusion

• Attention is highly selective and limited.
• Both inattentional and change blindness demonstrate limitations in our perceptual awareness.