Sensory, Attentional And Perceptual Processes — Psychology STD 11 Humanities — Question

Selective attention refers to the focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus. It is concerned mainly with the selection of a limited number of stimuli or objects from a larger number of stimuli Factors affecting selective attention:
External factors:
These are related to the features of the stimuli. Other factors held constant.

• The size, intensity and movement of stimuli are important determinants.
• Large, bright and moving objects easily catch our attention.
• Auditory narrations are readily attended than visual narrations.
• Stimuli that are novel and slightly complex catch our attention.
• Human figures are more likely to be attended then the in animate objects.

Internal factors can be of two types:
cognitive factors include factors like interests, attitudes and preparatory set.

1. Cognitive factors:

• Stimuli that appear interesting are readily attended.
• Stimuli that are favorably disposed by us also catch our attention.
• Preparatory set a state of mind to act in a certain way and to respond to some stimuli and not to others at that moment.

2. Motivational factors:

• These are related to our biological and social needs e.g. hungry person will attain food first. During examination days students focus more on teacher’s instructions.
• Selective attention is concerned mainly with the selection of a limited number of stimuli from a large number of stimuli whereas sustained attention refers to focusing of awareness on specific objects while excluding others for the movement.
• It is ability to maintain attention on an object or event for longer duration.