Module 5 Attention 1

Cognitive Psychology Notes Module 5: Attention 1 Introduction to Attention  Definition: Focusing on specific information while ignoring others.  Types of Attention: o Focused Attention: Concentrating on one task. o Divided Attention: "Multitasking" or spreading focus across tasks. o Vigilance: Staying ready to respond quickly. Top-Down Attention (Endogenous): Deciding where to focus based on goals (conscious control). o Bottom-Up Attention (Exogenous): Automatically drawn to something (e.g., a loud noise). o Covert Attention: Focusing without moving your eyes or head. o Overt Attention: Focusing where your eyes and senses are directed. o Modality-Specific Attention: Focusing on a specific sense (e.g., vision, hearing). Top-Down Attention  When we focus attention: o Faster and more accurate at detecting information. o Enhanced brain activity. o Better at processing stimuli in the focused area.  "Spotlight" Model: o Focused on one region like a spotlight on a stage. o Can be narrow (focused) or wide (diffused). o Diffused focus: Slower reaction times because attention is spread out. fMRI Retinotopic Mapping  fMRI: Measures brain activity by detecting oxygen use.  Retinotopic Mapping: o Visual cortex at the back of the brain (occipital lobe). o Neurons in the visual cortex map to the retina. o Contralateral Mapping: Right visual field projects to the left hemisphere and vice versa.  Visual Field Mapping: o Fovea: Central, sharpest vision area. o Peripheral Vision: Lower acuity, maps to different regions.  Stimuli for Mapping: o Expanding Ring: Starts at the center, moves outward. o Rotating Wedge: Moves around the visual field. Ways to Visualize Retinotopic Maps  Overlaying fMRI on Brain Image o Combines functional (fMRI) and structural (anatomical) images. o Helps see exactly which parts of the brain light up (are active) when visual stimuli are presented. o Useful for identifying specific regions involved in processing visual information.  Inflated Brain Map o The brain's surface is "inflated" to spread out the wrinkles (sulci) and folds (gyri) for a clearer view. o Darker patches represent sulci (grooves or dips in the brain). o Lighter patches represent gyri (ridges or raised parts). o This method makes it easier to see continuous regions of activation, without being obscured by the folds. Flat Map o The brain is cut along specific lines and "flattened out" to create a o  2D map. o Makes it easier to see and study the boundaries of different visual processing areas. Shows where different parts of the visual field (e.g., top vs. bottom, left vs. right) are processed on the brain. o This technique is useful for understanding how visual information from different parts of the field maps onto the cortex. o For example, if a rotating visual wedge (like a slice of a pie) is used, scientists can see how it activates different regions across the flattened brain map, helping to delineate areas like V1, V2, and VP. Models of Attention  Zoom Lens Model: o Attention can be "zoomed" in or out, like a camera lens. o Wider focus: Less detail, spread out attention. o Smaller focus: More detail, concentrated attention. o Experiment Findings  Muller et al. (2003)  Reaction times slower when attention is spread out.  Errors increase with wider focus.  fMRI shows changes in brain activity matching this focus shif  Not consistent with zoom lens: Jump in performance with no difference between medium and large cue Activity in visual cortex when participants complete this task  Stimuli presented above fixation point thus see activity below CS  VP/ V4 (later stages) shows activity  Big patch of activity in right hemisphere and in left hemisphere  The Zoom lens model is a better description of attention than the spotlight model. Multiple Spotlights Model  Split Attention: Focus on two or more separate areas without attention in between.  Key Idea: You can direct attention to different places, avoiding the middle.  fMRI Evidence: o Activity matches regions where attention is split. o Suppression of activity in areas not being focused on o