Attention: A Comprehensive Guide for Psychology Students

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of selective attention?

Accepted Answer

Processing all available information equally

Answer

Filtering out irrelevant stimuli

Answer

Focusing on specific aspects of the environment

Answer

Inhibiting responses to distracting stimuli

Question 2

According to the biased competition theory of attention, which of the following determines which stimuli capture our attention?

Accepted Answer

A combination of bottom-up and top-down processing

Answer

Bottom-up processing only

Answer

Top-down processing only

Answer

Neither bottom-up nor top-down processing

Question 3

What is the primary distinction between exogenous and endogenous attention?

Accepted Answer

Exogenous attention involves shifting attention based on external cues, while endogenous attention involves shifting attention based on internal goals

Answer

Exogenous attention is involuntary, while endogenous attention is voluntary

Answer

Endogenous attention is involuntary, while exogenous attention is voluntary

Answer

Endogenous attention involves shifting attention based on external cues, while exogenous attention involves shifting attention based on internal goals

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a recognized type of attention?

Accepted Answer

Creative attention

Answer

Selective attention

Answer

Sustained attention

Answer

Divided attention

Question 5

What is the process of focusing on a specific stimulus while disregarding others known as?

Accepted Answer

Selective attention

Answer

Divided attention

Answer

Sustained attention

Answer

Effortful attention

Question 6

Which theory of attention proposes that attention is limited and can only process a restricted amount of information at a given time?

Accepted Answer

Capacity theory

Answer

Filter theory

Answer

Resource theory

Answer

Expectancy theory

Question 7

What term describes the ability to shift attention swiftly and efficiently between multiple tasks?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive flexibility

Answer

Attentional control

Answer

Working memory

Answer

Inhibition

Question 8

What term refers to the ability to maintain focus on a task over an extended period?

Accepted Answer

Sustained attention

Answer

Selective attention

Answer

Divided attention

Answer

Effortful attention

Question 9

What is the term for the process of intentionally disregarding certain stimuli in order to focus on others?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition

Answer

Filtering

Answer

Control

Answer

Selection

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a key component of divided attention?

Accepted Answer

Focusing exclusively on a single stimulus

Answer

Performing multiple tasks simultaneously

Answer

Allocating attentional resources effectively

Answer

Rapidly transitioning between tasks

Question 11

What term describes the ability to direct and control attention?

Accepted Answer

Attentional control

Answer

Cognitive flexibility

Answer

Working memory

Answer

Effortful attention

Question 12

According to the Capacity theory of attention, what is the nature of attention?

Accepted Answer

Limited and selective

Answer

Unlimited and flexible

Answer

Automatic and effortless

Answer

Conscious and intentional

Question 13

Research in neuroscience has linked the prefrontal cortex to:

Accepted Answer

Attentional control and working memory

Answer

Emotional processing and decision-making

Answer

Motor skills and coordination

Answer

Perception and sensory processing

Question 14

Attentional capture occurs when:

Accepted Answer

A novel or salient stimulus automatically draws attention

Answer

Attention is consciously directed to a specific target

Answer

Attention is divided between multiple tasks

Answer

Attention is sustained over a long period

Question 15

Which of the following best describes selective attention?

Accepted Answer

The tendency to prioritize certain stimuli over others, allowing us to concentrate on relevant information

Answer

The ability to focus on multiple stimuli simultaneously without distraction

Answer

The inability to ignore irrelevant information, leading to difficulty focusing on the task at hand

Answer

The capacity to divide attention between two or more tasks effectively

Question 16

According to the filter theory of attention, what happens to stimuli that are not being actively processed?

Accepted Answer

They are completely blocked from reaching consciousness, preventing them from influencing our behavior.

Answer

They are processed subconsciously, potentially influencing our thoughts and actions without our conscious awareness.

Answer

They are stored in short-term memory, allowing us to access them later if needed.

Answer

They are selectively amplified, making them more prominent in our perception.

Question 17

Which type of attention involves allocating resources to multiple tasks or activities simultaneously?

Accepted Answer

Divided attention

Answer

Selective attention

Answer

Sustained attention

Answer

Selective neglect

Question 18

What is the term for the gradual decline in alertness and attention over an extended period of time?

Accepted Answer

Fatigue

Answer

Habituation

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Extinction

Question 19

Which theory of attention proposes that we have a limited amount of attentional resources that can be allocated to different tasks?

Accepted Answer

Limited Capacity Model

Answer

Dual-Task Model

Answer

Stroop Effect

Answer

Filter Theory

Question 20

What is the name of the experiment that demonstrates the attentional bias towards emotionally significant stimuli?

Accepted Answer

Emotional Stroop Task

Answer

Stroop Effect

Answer

Simon Effect

Answer

Attentional Blink

Question 21

What is the phenomenon known as the Attentional Blink?

Accepted Answer

The difficulty in perceiving two stimuli presented in close succession, due to limitations in our attentional processing

Answer

The tendency to focus on irrelevant information, leading to distraction and errors

Answer

The ability to multitask effectively, allocating attention between different tasks without significant performance decline

Answer

The experience of becoming completely immersed in a task, leading to a loss of awareness of external stimuli

Question 22

The cocktail party effect refers to our ability to:

Accepted Answer

Focus on a specific conversation while ignoring background noise.

Answer

Perform multiple tasks simultaneously without losing accuracy.

Answer

Shift our attention rapidly between different stimuli.

Answer

Maintain attention on a task for an extended period.

Question 23

Which factor below has the strongest influence on directing our attention?

Accepted Answer

Stimulus salience, such as brightness, movement, or novelty.

Answer

The age of the individual.

Answer

The gender of the individual.

Answer

The handedness of the individual.

Question 24

The Stroop task is primarily used by psychologists to assess:

Accepted Answer

The ability to focus on a specific aspect of a stimulus while ignoring other irrelevant information.

Answer

Working memory and the capacity to temporarily store and manipulate information.

Answer

Sustained attention over prolonged periods.

Answer

Divided attention or multitasking capabilities.

Question 25

Divided attention involves the ability to:

Accepted Answer

Attend to and process multiple tasks or stimuli simultaneously.

Answer

Sustained focus on a single task over a long duration.

Answer

Shift attention quickly and efficiently between different stimuli or tasks.

Answer

Ignore external distractions and maintain focus on a specific stimulus.

Question 26

Which technique is generally NOT recommended for improving attention?

Accepted Answer

Multitasking, as it can lead to reduced accuracy and efficiency.

Answer

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or yoga.

Answer

Regular exercise, which can boost cognitive function, including attention.

Question 27

Attentional flexibility refers to the ability to:

Accepted Answer

Swiftly and efficiently switch attention between different tasks or stimuli.

Answer

Selectively focus on a specific aspect of a stimulus while ignoring irrelevant information.

Answer

Maintain focus on a single task for an extended period without distraction.

Answer

Divide attention and process multiple tasks or stimuli simultaneously.

Question 28

Which brain region plays a central role in attentional processes?

Accepted Answer

Prefrontal cortex, particularly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Answer

Cerebellum, which is involved in motor coordination and balance.

Answer

Hippocampus, which is crucial for memory formation and storage.

Answer

Amygdala, which is associated with emotional processing.

Question 29

Inattentional blindness refers to the phenomenon where:

Accepted Answer

Individuals fail to notice a stimulus that is clearly visible but unexpected or unattended.

Answer

Individuals have difficulty maintaining attention on a specific task over time.

Answer

Distractions easily divert an individual's attention away from a task.