dichotic listening task
broadbents filter model
sensory memory
holds incoming unanalyzed sensory stimuli for a brief duration
iconic memory
holds visual stimuli for .24 - .50 seconds
echoic memory
holds auditory stimuli for 1-3 seconds
detector
problems with the filter model
it does not explain why the meaning of the ignored message can still be processed at times
short-term memory
attention
focusing on specific features, objects, or locations or on certain thoughts or activities
selective attention
the ability to focus on one message and ignore all others
distraction
occurs when one stimulus interferes with attention to or the processing of another stimulus
divided attention
the ability to pay attention to, or carry out, two or more different tasks simultaneously
attentional capture
a rapid shifting of attention, usually caused by a stimulus such as a loud noise, bright light, or sudden movement
visual scanning
movement of the eyes from one location or object to another
cocktail party effect
the ability to focus on one stimulus while filtering out other stimuli, especially at a party where there are a lot of simultaneous conversations
treismans model of attention
dictionary unit
late selection models of attention
model of selective attention that proposes that selection of stimuli for final processing does not occur until after the information in the message has been analyzed for meaning
mackays late selection model
information is filtered after the meaning of the message is recognized
mackays 1973 study
lavies load theory of attention
processing capacity
amount of information one can process at a time
processing load
difficulty of the task
high-load tasks