Introduction
This test page offers fun and informal ways to test your knowledge on learning and behaviour.
Key Terms
- attention A state of focused awareness on a subset of the available perceptual information.
- dichotic listening An experimental technique in which a different auditory stimulus is simultaneously presented to each ear.
- divided attention Divided attention occurs when mental focus is on multiple tasks or ideas at once. Also known as multitasking, individuals do this all the time, singing along to a song while driving or having a conversation while walking. Divided attention does decrease the amount of attention being placed on any one task or idea if there are multiple focuses going on at once. For example, if you answer a friend's question while you are reading a book your concentration on the book wanes as you focus on responding to your friend.
- encoding The process by which a mental representation is formed in memory.
- explicit memory Conscious efforts to recover information through memory processes.
- implicit memory Availability of information through memory processes without the exertion of any conscious effort to encode or recover information.
- memory The mental capacity to encode, store, and retrieve information.
- selective attention Selective attention is the process of focusing on a particular object in the environment for a certain period of time. Attention is a limited resource, so selective attention allows us to tune out unimportant details and focus on what really matters.
- working memory A memory resource that is used to accomplish tasks such as reasoning and language comprehension; consists of the phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and central executive.
Flashcards
Scatter Game
Attention Questions
Test yourself on the questions pertaining to attention.
Selective Attention for Study
- Paying attention to a lesson instead of being distracted by noise or something happening outside the window
- Switching from learning one subject to the next or from one class to another
- Putting aside a lunchtime disagreement with a friend to focus on class in the afternoon
- Completing a homework assignment before turning on TV or a video game
- "Turning off" worries about doing well on a test in order to stay focused and remember everything studied
- Identifying what's most important right now and paying attention only to that most important thing.