LEARNING PROCESS

Learning Process: Attention

Definition of Attention

Dumville (1938): "Attention is the concentration of consciousness upon one subject rather than upon another."

J. S. Ross (1951): "Attention is the process of getting an object of thought clearly before the mind."

R.N. Sharma (1967): "Attention can be defined as a process which compels the individual to select some particular stimulus according to his interest and attitude out of the multiplicity of stimuli present in the environment."

Characteristics of Attention

• Helps in responsiveness to our environment.
• Selective and shifting mental process.
• Attracted by one new object at a time.
• Increases efficiency in acquiring new skills or knowledge.
• Involves adjustment of sense organs to understand a stimulus.
• Engages both mental (cognitive) and physical (sensory) activities.

Types of Attention

Voluntary or Volitional Attention

Conscious effort along with will force to achieve a goal.

• Implicit Attention: Single act using willpower (e.g., solving a math problem).
• Explicit Attention: Continuous effort with strong motives (e.g., completing research).

Involuntary or Non-Volitional Attention

Attention without will force or conscious mind.

• Spontaneous Attention: Based on sentiments (e.g., a mother's response to her baby's cry).
• Enforced Attention: Instinctively aroused (e.g., reacting to a loud noise).

Types and Factors of Attention

Types of Attention:

• Voluntary Attention
  • Definition: Conscious focus driven by goals.
  • Example: Studying for an exam, where you deliberately focus on your textbooks and notes.
• Involuntary Attention
  • Definition: Automatic focus triggered by external stimuli.
  • Example: Hearing a loud noise while reading a book, which captures your attention instantly.
• Sustained Attention
  • Definition: The ability to maintain focus on a specific task for a prolonged period.
  • Example: Playing a video game for an extended time without getting distracted.
• Selective Attention
  • Definition: Focusing on one particular stimulus while ignoring others.
  • Example: Listening to a friend at a noisy party.
• Alternating Attention
  • Definition: The ability to switch focus between tasks that require different cognitive demands.
  • Example: Reading a recipe and then preparing a meal.
• Divided Attention
  • Definition: The ability to process multiple stimuli or tasks simultaneously.
  • Example: Talking on the phone while surfing the web.

Factors of Attention:

• External Factors
  • Intensity: Strong stimuli (e.g., loud alarm).
  • Size: Larger objects (e.g., billboard).
  • Contrast: Standout stimuli (e.g., red apple on green tree).
  • Movement: Moving objects (e.g., moving car).
  • Change and Variety: Environmental changes (e.g., pitch change in voice).
  • Repetition: Repeated stimuli (e.g., repeated advertisement).
• Internal Factors
  • Interest: Personal interest (e.g., interest in science).
  • Motivation: Goal-driven focus (e.g., learning a new skill).
  • Emotional State: Emotional influence (e.g., anxiety).
  • Mindset and Expectations: Expectation-driven focus (e.g., expecting a friend).
  • Arousal Level: Optimal alertness (e.g., being well-rested).

Tachistoscope

A tachistoscope is a device used to display visual stimuli for very brief periods, typically milliseconds. It helps study attention, perception, and memory by presenting images or words quickly and precisely.

Key Points:

• Brief Exposure: Shows stimuli for a short time, often too quick for conscious recognition.
• Controlled Presentation: Allows precise control over the duration of stimulus display.
• Applications: Used in psychological research, reading training, military training, and market research.

Example:

Flashing a word for 50 milliseconds: The viewer might not consciously recognize it, but their brain processes it, helping researchers study cognitive processing speeds.