Unit 3 | Attention |

 Attention :-

Attention is the term used or given to the perceptual processes that select certain inputs for inclusion in our conscious experience, or awareness at any given time. It is the  process involving the act of listening and concentrating on a topic, object or event for the attainment of desires ends.

 

Definition :-

 1. Attentions is  the concentration of consciousness upon one object rather than upon another. 

2. Attention is the process of getting an object ort clearly before the mind. 

3. Attention is being keenly alive to some specific factors in our environment. It is a preparatory adjustment for response. 

Types of Attention 

They are two types of attention :-

1. Involuntary Attention 

2. Voluntary Attention 

#Involuntary attention :— This type of attention is aroused without the play of will. Here we attain to an object or condition without making any conscious effort. 

Eg. :-  mother's attention towards her crying child. 

#Voluntary Attention :— When the exercise will is called upon, it becomes volitional ( voluntary ) attention. Because it demands the conscious effort on our part it is least automatic and spontaneous like that of non voluntary attention. 

Eg. :- Attention payed at the time of solving a assigned problem of mathematics answering questions in examination hall and so on comes under voluntary attention category. 

Determinats of Attention 

One of two types :—

1. External Factors 

2. Internal Factors 

External Factors 

These conditions are generally those characteristics of outside situation or stimuli which make the strongest aid for capturing our attention,  this can be classified as :

 • Nature of the Stimulus — All types of stimuli are not able to bring the same degree of attention.  A picture attract attention more rapidly than words.

• Intensity and size of the Stimulus — In comparison with the weak stimulus the immense stimulus attract more attention of an individual. 

 

• Contrast , Change and variety — change and variety strike attention more easily than sameness and absence of change, Eg. :- we do not notice the ticking sound of a  clock on the wall until it stops ticking , that is any change in the attention to which you have been attracted immediately capture your attention. 

• Repetition of Stimulus — Repetition  is the great  importance in securing attention. Because one may ignore at first instance, but if it is repeated for several times it captures our attention.

• Movement of the Stimulus :- The moving stimulus catches our attention more quickly than a stimulus that does not move. We are more sensitive to object that moves in our field of vision.

Internal Factors

This factor predispose the  individual to response to objective factors to attend to those activities and fulfill his desire and motives. 

• Interests — Interest is said to be the mother of attention. I like to watch movie or serial in TV we are interested in the subject around which the movie or serial revolves. 

• Motives — basic need and motive to a great extent,  determine our attention thirst,  hunger, and fear are some of the important motives that influence attention. 

• Mindset — Persons readiness to respond determine his attention. If we are expecting a stimulus may not come in the way of attending to that particular stimulus. At a time when student are expecting the examination time table by the end of the semester that time table put out on the notice board along with other notice would attract their attention easily. 

• Moods and Attitudes — What we attend to is influenced by the moods and attitudes. When we are disturbed or in angry mood, we notice the smallest mistake of others very easily. 

After discussing subjective and objective factors we realise that these factors are interrelated. How much or in what way we attend to a student depend on subjective as well as objective factors.