| Chapter 4: Attention Posner and Petersen's (1990) model of attention: Arousal system Posterior system: automatic, data-driven attention Anterior system: controlled, conceptually-driven attention These systems are the source of attention. Their role is to disengage from attented stimuli, shift focus of attention, engage other stimuli, and distribute resources at the sites of effects responsible for information processing. The brain has a general pool of attention, but it seems that each site has also its semi-independent pool as well. We are conscious of what receives the most resources/greatest activation. Can be very focused on a single thing. Can be analogous to day-dreaming if several things are attended. Once a concept has been activated, it remains so for a while, as activation decays slowly. |
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