Yerkes-Dodson law
Relationship between how well we do on a task and how aroused we are to it
Attentional energy theory
Capacity - limited, flexible. can be allocated
Attentional limits - specific structural limits, non-specific energy resources
Data limit
- Point at which allocating more attentional energy does not provide better performance
- Also known as structural limit
- Task possibly too difficult
- Possibly don’t have enough knowledge
Resource limits
- Not at data limit
- performance limited due to limiting resources allocated to it
Automaticity
Automatic processes - rapid, unintentional, do not require resources
Controlled processes - slow, intentional, require resources
Implications for divided attention
- Automatic tasks can be performed at the same time
- Controlled processes will interfere with each other if they exceed capacity of attentional energy
Acquisition of automatic processes
- Extensive practrice
Stroop (1935) - automaticity of basic reading processes
Filter theory
3 components
- Selective filter
- Limited capacity decision channel
- Long term memory
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Numbers said in one ear
- When told to recall by ear, 65% items, attend to one ear then switch to other
- When told to recall in sequence, 20% of items, requires rapid switching
- Suggests select info based on channel
Dichotic presentation
- Shadowing task
- One message in one ear, another in other ear
- Repeat back what you hear in ear you’re told
- Can notice change in voice (male->female) in unattended ear
- Don’t notice change in language in unattended ear
- Good evidence for filter theory
Problem with filter theory
- Not all or non
- If something significant for the participant (name) is said in unattended ear it is heard
- Responses organized by word or digit is selected by semantics
- Conditioned responses occur when in unattended or attended ear
Attenuation theory
Filter - Not all-or-none, just attenuates, uses physical
Dictionary units - “lexicon” (logogens), affects detection
Thresholds
- Variable (name vs house) - Unattended things that get your attention have a lower threshold
