The document discusses attention and the factors that influence it. It defines attention as actively focusing one's consciousness on specific stimuli. Attention depends on both external/objective factors like size, intensity, repetition, and novelty, as well as internal/subjective factors like interest, desires, goals, habits, and past experiences. The document also distinguishes between the field of attention at the center of consciousness, versus the field of inattention at the edges, where stimuli are present but not the focus.
2. Attention
Attention is a cognitive process whereby you
direct and maintain awareness of stimuli
detected by the senses and use that
information to make decisions and choose
responses.
Attention is a concept studied in cognitive
psychology that refers to how we actively
process specific information present in our
environment.
3. Attention
As you are reading this, there are numerous
sights, sounds and sensations going on
around you – the pressure of your feet against
the floor, the sight of the street out of a nearby
window, the memory of a conversation you
had earlier with a friend.
According to psychologist and philosopher
William James, attention "is the taking
possession of the mind”.
4. Attention
Attention is an active part of consciousness.
The activity of concentrating mind on a
particular matter is called attention.
Attention is not possible in the absence of
consciousness, but attention and
consciousness are Not one.
The field of consciousness is vast and
attention is one of its parts.
5. Attention
For example, I am reading at this time. Book,
note, table, chair, etc., all this can be under
my consciousness, but my attention is on the
words being read on the paper.
6. Nature of attention
Attention is focusing of consciousness on a
particular object.
Attention is constantly shifting/ changeable.
Attention is selective.
Attention is a mental process.
Attention is a state of preparedness or
alertness.
Attention has narrow range/span.
7. Factors Related to Attention
Attention depends upon several factors.
These factors may be of two types:
External factors
Internal factors
8. External Factors
The external factors are concerned with the
environment.
These are also called Objective Factors.
Size
Intensity
Repetition
Duration
Change
Novelty
9. External Factors
Size:
Size has effect on attention. It is natural an
unusual size attracts attention of the people.
Very big size or very small size too draws our
attention when compared with normal size. For
example, a Lilliputian (dwarf man) walking on
the road too draws our attention.
10. External Factors
Intensity:
Loud sounds, strong smells and deep colors are
attractive in nature. If a sound is intense then it would
attract our attention. The thunder is louder than a car
sound. So, our attention is drawn on thunder.
Movement:
Moving things draws our attention more than
stationary one. A moving car attracts faster than a
stationary car.
11. External Factors
Contrast:
Anything that is different from its surrounding is
contrast. A swan among the crows attracts
suddenly.
Repetition:
If a thing or person or event is repeated several
times, then our attention drawn to it. When an
advertisement is repeated in the walls drawn our
attention.
12. External Factors
Duration:
Attention is drawn to a thing that lasts longer. A
salesperson draws attention by lengthening his
voice.
Change:
Change draws our attention easily. In the midst
of continuous noise a slight moment of silence
draws our attention.
16. Internal Factors
Interest:
We are interested in some things and not interested
in other things. Interesting things draws our attention
soon.
Desire:
A person’s desire becomes a cause of paying
attention to a thing. For example, a person has to
desire of buying a hammer. There are many things
available in a market, but he goes to a shop where
hammers are available
17. Internal Factors
Motives:
Basic motives are important in drawing attention.
Human motives like hungry, thirst, safety, etc.,
play a vital role in drawing attention. A thirst
person attention always on where water is.
18. Internal Factors
Aim/Goal:
Every man has some aim and ultimate goal in
their life. The immediate aim of a student is to
pass in the examination while his ultimate goal
may be to become a doctor. The student, whose
goal is not to pass the examination, will not be
concerned with textbooks or note, etc, but who
has the aim to pass in the examination, will at
once attend to them.
19. Internal Factors
Habit:
Habit is also a vital determinant of attention. The
kind of habit we found in our life, our attention is
drawn to such things. if a person has habit to
play cricket, then his attention is always drawn to
it, and he will listen to cricket commentaries with
attention.
20. Internal Factors
Past Experience:
It is also affect attention. If we know by our past
experience that a particular person is sincere to
us, we shall pay attention to whatever he
advises us. If our experience is contrary, we
shall not attend even to his most serious advice.
21. Inattention & Attention
As a matter of fact there are two fields of
consciousness – the field of attention and
inattention.
The field of attention is in the center of
consciousness and that of inattention to the
edge consciousness. The things on the edge
of consciousness influence the mind to some
extent, but our attention is not diverted to
them.
22. Inattention & attention
F D G J K O Y U A W V C N S Q Z M I T R
Here are given twenty letters of alphabet. if we
pay attention to the alphabet ‘N’, then other
letters are overlooked and if we pay attention to
the alphabet ‘ A’ then attention is diverted from
other alphabets etc. Now we have attention on
‘A’ and inattention on other alphabets.
