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?

According to the material, attention can be understood to mean the mechanism for continued cognitive processing (Willingham, 2007). I define attention as continuous focus on a mental or physical task that requires mental effort. Attention often times does require continued cognitive processing. Most all daily tasks involve some level of mental effort and focus, thus requiring attention. For instance, walking across the room or chewing gum does require attention but less attention than studying or doing a workout video. People use attention everyday whether they are aware of it or not, especially if they engage in more than one task at a time. I think about attention as a spotlight and I know that I have to focus my spotlight of what is most important or pressing at the moment. I also know that I can only stretch that spotlight so far before some task will end up in the dark.

2. Can attention be consciously allocated to tasks? Why or why not?

When taking part in more than one task each task will fight for attentional resources. Often times the task that is more important according to a person’s goals will receive the majority of their attention. This is the thought of a spotlight, as I refer to attention. Attention can be allocated consciously and unconsciously. People naturally allocate their attention to the most pressing task at times like, you are driving and talking to a friend and it begins to storm. When it starts to storm you will natural direct less of your time to the conversation and more attention to driving. This