This document defines attention and discusses its characteristics, types, influencing factors, and duration. Attention is the focus of consciousness on a particular object or idea, and can be voluntary (requiring conscious effort) or involuntary (aroused without effort). It is influenced by both external factors like the nature, intensity, and location of stimuli, as well as internal factors like interests, motives, emotions, and habits. The span of attention refers to how long one can focus without distraction and varies depending on whether the focus is visual or auditory.