University of Phoenix Material

Attention Worksheet

Using the text, Cognition: The Thinking Animal, the University Library, the Internet, and/or other resources, answer the following questions. Your response to each question should be at least 150 words in length.
1. How do you define the concept of attention?

Attention occurs when a person is mentally focused on someone or something and channels other distractions out. In my opinion, a person pays attention by active listening and intensively observing. For instance a couple on a date in a crowded restaurant gives one another their undivided attention by keeping eye contact and intently listening to everything the other one says to them. I believe it is imperative to show someone you are giving him or her undivided attention when they are speaking to you and that shows them you respect their thoughts and feelings. Moreover, there are two types of attention, one being divided attention and selective attention. Divided attention occurs when a person tries to multi-task and dividing their attention to more than one person or task. Selective attention occurs when person selects one particular person or thing to focus on and they block everything else surrounding them out. This allows them concentrate on one thing so they can better understand and process the information being conveyed.

2. What is the relationship between attention and cognition?

• I believe attention can be allocated to tasks because a person is aware of what the

• tasks are. Therefore, the person knows when to pay attention when his or her tasks come

• to surface. We can consciously make a decision to have mental control over our tasks at a

• time in which we have no problem focusing our attention on the various tasks. An

• example would be, in the workplace some of our jobs