Define attention Explain its properties - Psychology - Sensory Attentional and Perceptual Processes

Question

Define attention Explain its properties

Pallavi Rawat · Accepted Answer

Attention refers to the process through which certain stimuli
are selected from a group of others It requires an allocation of
effort The objects that are at the centre are the focus of
attention while objects that are away from the centre are at the
fringe
Attention has following properties:

(i) Alertness: It refers to the individual’s
readiness to deal with stimulus that they experience For instance,
the situations where people are alert while crossing the road in
order to avoid mishaps
(ii) Concentration: It refers to the focus of awareness
on specific objects while excluding others in that period of time
For instance, the executives in a meeting concentrate upon their
work while ignoring other activities outside
(iii) Search: It takes place when an observer looks for
specific subset of objects among a set of objects For example, the
historians search for sites to gain information about events within
a particular time period
(iv) Selection: It refers to the focus of
conscious awareness on a particular stimulus, upon which the
attention is gained

Define attention. Explain its properties.