ATTENTION

Supervision

Prof. Dr. Ramez N. Bedwani

Outcomes

• Understand the meaning of Attention

• Recognize Internal & External Factors affecting Attention

• Learn Physiology of Attention & Perception

• Know some examples of Attention Disorders

Attention

• Attention is the direction and concentration of perception towards selected stimuli

• Some Laws of Attention:-

I. Selectivity and attractionAt any moment many stimuli are competing for

our attention. The factors which give advantage to one stimulus over another in this competition are to be remembered through watching the T.V. advertisements.

A. External factors (factors in the stimulus)

Intensity of stimulus:

A stronger stimulus is more attractive than a week one e.g.an elephant is more attractive than the fly over its head.

II. Repetition of stimulus:

A loud sound repeated many times is more attractive than a single one. Repeating the cry (help)it would attract attention more.

III. Changeability:

A changing stimulus is more attractive than a non changing one. Flickering lights attract attention more than steady light.

IV. Contrast:

The more the contrast between a figure and back ground the more it is attractive. Both could be used together in advertisement.

V. UnfamiliarityThe unfamiliar stimuli are more

attractive. A clown in the street can attract our attention more than a fully dressed gentleman

VI. Combination of sensory stimuli

Stimuli reaching attract attention more than a single one T.V. is supposed to be more attractive than the radio

VII. Combination of factors:

A stimulus characterized by more than one the above mentioned factors is more attractive than that influenced by one factor only.

B. Internal factors (factors in the individual)

I. General factors

a. Sensory fitness (e.g. acuity of vision in visual perception)

b. Intelligence (the more the individual is intelligent the more he can be readily attentive).

II. Temporary factors :

a. Physical state e.g. a feverish person is less attentive.

b. Emotional state e.g. a depressed person is less attentive.

c. Set: attention is related to what the individual is ready to perceive.(see before)

III. Shifting

one cannot focus his attention on a particular object for an indefinite time but attention shifts from one stimulus to another through:

1. Spontaneity: One has a spontaneous tendency to shift from one factor to anther.

2. Exploring: with complex stimulus pattern, each part is focused at; one after another. After exploring different parts we combine them in a whole.

3. Monotony: attention to the same stimulus for long time gives feeling of uneasiness, hence attention shifts to another

4. Fatigue: The efficiency a student studying certain subject tends to decrease by time due to fatigue. Thus attention tends to shift away from the one same subject if it lasts for a long time.

5.Satisfaction: Satisfaction tends to inhibit continuation of attention. Once the person is satisfied in a given situation he tends to shift his attention to another.

IV. Fluctuation: It is the negative aspect of attention. Attention here is

attracted away from the original stimulus and turns to subsidiary passing by stimulus. This attracting foreign stimulus could be external. Like a sound or opening the window that shits attention away from a conversation. It could also be internal like the intrusion of an irrelevant ideas that disrupts the original stream of thought and this is called flight of ideas. In other words is a recurrent shifting resulting in inattention to the original task.

V. Fluctuation:

This refers to the fact that even if we concentrate on the same subject our attention waxes and wanes(increases and decreases)

VI. Sustainability:This the opposite aspect of both shifting,

distraction and fluctuation. It is needed in studying. It refers to the ability of maintaining attention to a particular stimulus for a long time.

Factors that help sustainability:I. Interest: we keep attention if we are interested

in the topic or subject we are dealing with.

II. Curiosity: like in reading a police novel.

III. Punishment and praise: which is motivating attending to lecture or during studying

How to eliminate distraction?I. Get rid of the distracting stimuli. e.g. turn off the

radio while studying.

II. Putting extra-effort in attending.

III.Negative adaptation means to be habituated to the distracting stimulus (e.g. to the rhythmic sound while travelling in a train).

IV.Combining the distracting stimulus with the main task e.g. when a colleague enters your room while you are studying you can overcome this distraction by inviting him to share discussing the subject.

Physiology of attention and perception:

While perception needs conscious awareness, the cerebral cortex performs the main task according to the special sensory psychic areas (e.g. visual psychic area, auditory psychic areas etc..)

Attention is more related to the ascending reticular formation system.

Examples of: Disorders of attention1. Hyperprosexia: attention is heightened more

than normal e.g. in cases of hypornania.

2. Inattention: Diminished intensity up to stupor (the individual can be aroused by strong stimuli) or coma (he cannot be aroused by whatever stimulus).

3. Distractibility: marked shifting to passing by stimuli or interfering internal thoughts. This could be a preoccupation, a recurring irresistible idea (obsession) or even flight of ideas.

AssignmentsStudents are requested to prepare slides about the following Topics

زيد ابو الغني عبد ماجد ابراهيمقاسم احمد محمد ابراهيم

الريس احمد السيد احمدالدراجينى يوسف احمد جمال احمد

المجد ابو الجواد عبد الدين جمال احمد

Memory

المقصود عبد احمد حسن احمدحميدة ابراهيم علي حسن احمد

رسالن ا احمد حسين حمدأحمد فرغلي سعيد احمد

النبي عبد العظيم عبد فوزي محمد احمد

Clinical Psychology

خليل محمد حمدي اخالصعلي محمود علي اسراء

علي ابراهيم رمضان عادل اسالمالسالم عبد محمد اسالمكامل ابراهيم اسماء

Factors Affecting Attention