Selective Attention
Think about the last time you were at a coffee shop trying to read a book for your English class while conversations, clinking cups, and a catchy pop song filled the air. It’s your selective attention that enables you to focus on the words in front of you, filtering out the chatter, music, and background noise so you can selectively attend to your reading. Selective attention is your brain’s ability to inhibit distractions in your environment so you can focus and stay focused. For instance, when you are on the phone while others in the room are talking, you use selective attention to focus on the conversation with the person on the other end of the line. Even when that catchy song tempts you to listen or the noise of the coffee machine grabs your attention, selective attention enables you to maintain focus on what matters most; in this case, reading your book for your English assignment. It’s about choosing where to direct your mental energy, while ignoring everything else pulling for your attention.
Selective Attention Test
In this task, you will hear two voices speaking at the same time. One voice will be telling the story of Aleesha’s adventure to a famous market in Morocco, while the other will be saying random, unrelated words. Your goal is to focus on the voice telling the story and ignore the other voice. Pay close attention, as you’ll be answering questions about the story once the audio ends.
Click the play button when you’re ready to begin!
Cognitive Inhibition
Cognitive inhibition refers to inhibitory control at the level of attention, particularly in managing what you hold in your mind. It’s essential for suppressing distracting thoughts – such as worries, past actions, memories or plans for the future – so you can stay focused on the present. It also suppresses mind-wandering or day-dreaming when you need to concentrate on a specific task. For example, when you’re in a lecture, cognitive inhibition enables you to inhibit thoughts about your weekend plans when you need to pay attention to your professor’s words. It’s also the reason you can inhibit the urge to plan your dinner or replay a funny conversation you had earlier, so you can pay attention to the lecture. Without the ability to inhibit distracting thoughts, staying focused would be a lot like trying to read a book while there’s a catchy song stuck in your head!
cant wait for Lunch break....
References
1. Diamond, A. (2013). Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology, 64(1), 135–168. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143750 2. Anderson, M. C., & Levy, B. J. (2009). Suppressing Unwanted Memories. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18(4), 189–194. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01634.x 3. Harnishfeger, K. K. (1995, January 1). 6 - The Development of Cognitive Inhibition: Theories, Definitions, and Research Evidence (F. N. Dempster, C. J. Brainerd, & C. J. Brainerd, Eds.). ScienceDirect; Academic Press. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780122089305500076 4. Johnston, W. A., & Dark, V. J. (1986). Selective Attention. Annual Review of Psychology, 37(1), 43–75. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ps.37.020186.000355 5. Nee, D. E., & Jonides, J. (2008). Dissociable Interference-Control Processes in Perception and Memory. Psychological Science, 19(5), 490–500. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02114.x 5. Van Ede, F., & Nobre, A. C. (2023). Turning Attention Inside Out: How Working Memory Serves Behavior. Annual Review of Psychology, 74(Volume 74, 2023), 137-165. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-021422-041757