COGPSY TOPIC3.pdf - TOPIC 3: ATTENTION AND CONSCIOUSNESS...

TOPIC 3: ATTENTION AND
CONSCIOUSNESS
Some Questions of Interest
 Can we actively process information, even if
we are not aware of doing so? If so, what do
we process and how?
 What are some of the functions of attention?
 What are some theories cognitive
psychologists have developed to explain
attentional processes?
 What have cognitive psychologists learned
about attention by studying the human brain?
THE NATURE OF ATTENTION AND
CONSCIOUSNESS
ATTENTION
 The means by which we actively process a
limited amount of information.
FOUR MAIN FUNCTIONS OF ATTENTION
 Signal detection and vigilance
 Search
 Selective attention
 Divided attention
SIGNAL DETECTION: FINDING IMPORTANT
STIMULI IN A CROWD
Signal-Detection Matrix Used in Signal-Detection
Theory
Signal-detection theory was one of the first
theories to suggest an interaction between the
physical sensation of a stimulus and cognitive
processes such as decision making. Think about the
work of airport screeners. They need to be capable of
perceiving objects such as a box cutter in hand-
carried luggage.
Signal Detect a Signal Do Not Detect
a Signal