Early definitions of attention

The subject of attention is a broad one. There are many definitions of it and subcategories included under it. Attention means to “pay attention” to an object or event, the study of attention has a long history in cognitive psychology, filled with debate and disagreement. Some have suggested that “everyone knows what attention is;” others have countered that “no one knows what attention is” (Pashler, 1998). In a recent book, Moray (1970) has proposed at least six different meanings of the term attention in current psychological research, whereas Posner and Boies (1971) suggested that attention has three components: orienting to sensory events, detecting signals for focused processing, and maintaining a vigilant or alert state. Still others have used terms such as arousal, effort, capacity, perceptual set, control, and consciousness as synonymous with the process of attention.

Early definitions of attention

Already in 1890, one of the pioneers of studies of cognitive functions, William James, stated about attention "Everyone knows what attention is. It is the taking possession by the mind, in clear and vivid form, of one out of what seem several simultaneously possible objects or trains of thought. Focalization, concentration of consciousness are of its essence. It implies withdrawal from some things in order to deal effectively with others, and is a condition which has a real opposite in the confused, dazed, scatterbrain state" (James, 1890). Importantly, this early definition by James, which he arrived at mainly through the method of introspection, is still valid.

Definition by Titchner  “Attention is a state of sensory clearness with a margin and a focus.  Attention is the aspect of consciousness that relates to the amount of effort exerted in focusing on certain aspects of an experience, so that they become relatively vivid”.

• Attention is the concentration of consciousness upon one object rather than others - Dumvile.

• Attention is the process of getting an object of thought clearly before the mind - Ross.

• Attention is the cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment while ignoring other things - John R. Anderson.

• Attention is merely conation or striving considered from the point of view of its effects on cognitive process - McDougall.

• Attention is being keenly alive to some specific factor in our environment. It is a preparatory adjustment for response - Morgan and Gilliland.

• Attention can be thought of as the bridge over which some parts of the external world the aspects selectively focused on are brought into the subjective world of our consciousness so that we may regulate our own behaviour - Carver and Schuler.

Nature:

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

Types:

• Non-volitional Attention: It is also called involuntary attention.

• Enforced Attention: instincts.

• Spontaneous Attention, internal motivation and sentiments

• Volitional Attention: It is also called voluntary attention.

• Implicit Attention: ordinary efforts

• Explicit Attention: make efforts for a number of times • Factors related to Attention:

• External Factors:  Size, Intensity, Repetition, Duration, Movement, Contrast, Change, Novelty,

• Internal Factors: Interest, Desire, Motives, Aim/Goal, Habit, Past Experience, aptitude, attitude, mental set, disposition and temperament etc.

Inattention: required for attention.