1. There are two main theories of selective attention: the selective filter theory and the attenuation theory. The selective filter theory proposes that only relevant information gets through to consciousness, while the attenuation theory says irrelevant information is weakened but can still get through. 2. Attentional resource theory posits that attention is a limited cognitive resource, and performing multiple complex tasks at once reduces available resources and leads to poorer performance and more mistakes. 3. Factors that influence attention include anxiety, arousal, task difficulty, and skills - being anxious, tired, or inexperienced with a task reduces attention while excitement or practice can enhance it.

1. Attention and Consciousness
Flores, Trixia Marie C.

2. Theories of Selective Attention
 Selective Filter Theory (Broadbent)
-Attention filters out extraneous information so that only the
relevant stuff gets through to consciousness.
-Only information relevant to the current task gets processed.
Example:
A number of people are talking simultaneously in a party, and
the listener is trying to follow one of discussions despite all of the
noise inside the bar.

3. Theories of Selective Attention
 Attenuation Theory (Triesmann)
-Opposed to the Selective Filter Model.
-We don’t completely filter irrelevant information out. Rather, it’s
strength is attenuated (weakened). The mind mostly ignores this
attenuated information, but if it is initially strong enough it can get
through.
Example:
You will still hear your name at the party, even if you don’t
know who said it or what the context was.

4. Theories of Divided Attention
 Attentional Resource Theory/Resource Theory
-We have a limited amount of cognitive processing capabilities.
Different tasks draw on this differently. Once it’s used up,
performance starts to suffer.
-Resource theory posits that attention is a quantity of stuff
(think RAM), and we each have a limited amount.
Note:
Based on a research, if you are doing complex tasks at the
same time, performance of each task makes your work slower and
increase the chances of making mistakes.

5. Factors that Influence our Ability to Pay
Attention
 Anxiety: Fear or nervousness
 Arousal: You may be tired, drowsy, or drugged,
which may limit attention. Being excited sometimes
enhances attention.
 Task difficulty: If you are working on a task that is
very difficult or novel for you, you’ll need more
attentional resources than when you work on an
easy or highly familiar task.
 Skills: The more practiced and skilled you are in
performing a task, the more your attention is
enhanced

6. Neuroscience and Attention: A Network
Model
 Alerting: is defined as being prepared to attend to some
incoming event, and maintaining this attention. The
neurotransmitter norepinephrine is involved in the
maintenance of alertness.
 Orienting: defined as the selection of stimuli to attend to.
You may be able to observe this process by means of a
person’s eye movements. The modulating
neurotransmitter for orienting is acetylcholine.
 Executive Attention: it includes processes for monitoring
and resolving conflicts that arise among internal
processes. These processes include thoughts, feelings,
and responses. The neurotransmitter most involved in the
executive attention process is dopamine.