Introduction: What is focused attention? Outline how you will answer the question.
Focused auditory attention.
•How do we do it? •What happens to the unattended stimulus? (see Dichotic listening task) –This is evidence for an Auditory Bottleneck •Describe and contrast theories: Filter theory (Broadbent, 1958) vs Deutsch & Deutsch (1963) vs attenuator theory (Treisman, 1964) –When is the bottleneck (early vs late)? –How does selection of occur? –Present evidence in support –
Focused Visual attention
•Physical bottleneck at the fovea BUT attention shift can precede eye movement (outline Posner paradigm in support) •Describe theories of visual attention: Spotlight vs. zoom lens vs. spilt attention –Outline evidence in support –Critique by comparing and contrasting •All these theories describe visual attention as being directed to regions of space BUT studies of visual Neglect suggest that visual attention can also be object based (e.g. Marshall & Halligan 1993) Conclusion: Summarise briefly and conclude
I. Introduction
Briefly introduce the concept of attention and its role in cognitive processing.
Present the thesis that focusing attention creates a bottleneck in processing, which is supported by various theoretical models.
II. The Bottleneck Theory
A. Definition of Bottleneck Theory
Describe the bottleneck theory, which posits that there is a limit to how much information we can process simultaneously.
B. Evidence Supporting Bottleneck Theory
Discuss early experiments by Broadbent (1958) that demonstrated how individuals could only attend to one stream of auditory information at a time, leading to the concept of a bottleneck in processing.
III. The Filter Model (Broadbent’s Model)
A. Overview of the Model
Explain Broadbent’s filter model, which suggests that information is filtered at an early stage based on physical characteristics (e.g., pitch, loudness).
B. Evaluation of the Model
Discuss strengths, such as its simplicity and foundational influence on attention research.
Address limitations, including failure to account for the ability to process some unattended information (e.g., cocktail party effect).
IV. The Attenuation Model (Treisman’s Model)
A. Overview of the Model
Describe Treisman’s attenuation model, which suggests that instead of a complete filter, unattended information is weakened but not entirely blocked.
B. Evaluation of the Model
Highlight strengths, such as its ability to explain why some unattended information can still be processed (e.g., hearing your name in a noisy environment).
Discuss limitations, including the complexity of determining how much information is attenuated.
V. The Late Selection Model (Deutsch and Deutsch)
A. Overview of the Model
Explain the late selection model, which posits that all information is processed to a semantic level before being filtered for attention.
B. Evaluation of the Model
Discuss strengths, including its ability to account for the processing of meaningful stimuli even when they are unattended.
Address criticisms regarding the practicality of processing all incoming information to a semantic level.
VI. Visual Attention Models
A. Spotlight Model
Describe the spotlight model, which suggests that attention acts like a spotlight, enhancing the processing of information within its focus while leaving other information less processed.
B. Feature Integration Theory (Treisman)
Explain the feature integration theory, which posits that attention is necessary to bind different features (color, shape) into a coherent object.
C. Evaluation of Visual Attention Models
Discuss strengths, such as empirical support from visual search tasks.
Address limitations, including challenges in explaining how attention is directed and shifted.
VII. Conclusion
Summarize the key points and models discussed.
Restate the thesis that focusing attention creates a bottleneck in processing and highlight the importance of understanding these models for cognitive psychology and real-world applications.