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Attention

Definition

Attention is the cognitive process of selectively focusing on one aspect of your environment while ignoring other things. It's a mental spotlight that enhances the efficiency of our perception and supports higher cognitive functions such as learning and reasoning.

Analogy

Think of attention like a camera lens. Just as a camera lens focuses on one part of the scene and blurs out the rest, our brain also focuses on certain stimuli while tuning out others.

Related terms

Selective Attention: Selective attention is our ability to focus on one particular task or stimulus among many competing stimuli.

Divided Attention: Divided attention is when we try to pay attention to two or more tasks at once, like texting while watching TV. However, this often leads to decreased performance in one or both tasks because our attention resources are limited.

Sustained Attention: Sustained attention, also known as vigilance, refers to maintaining focused attention over prolonged periods of time. An example would be a lifeguard constantly scanning the pool for signs of trouble.