Psych Attention Perception

Which of the following best defines sustained attention?

• Focusing on one stimulus or task across a prolonged, continuous period of time
• Focusing on multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ignoring distractions to focus on one stimulus
• Briefly scanning multiple stimuli
• Rapidly switching attention between tasks

Answer explanation

Sustained attention requires prolonged focus on a single task to fully process information.

Divided attention is most likely to reduce performance when:

• Tasks are unrelated or complex
• Tasks are simple and automatic
• Tasks are interesting
• Tasks are repeated daily
• Tasks are short in duration

Answer explanation

Dividing attention between unrelated or complex tasks increases cognitive load and reduces efficiency.

Which of the following is an example of selective attention?

• Ignoring background chatter at a party to focus on one conversation
• Listening to music while cooking
• Solving a puzzle while watching TV
• Typing an email while talking on the phone
• Driving while following GPS directions

Answer explanation

Selective attention involves focusing exclusively on one stimulus while ignoring distractions.

Which strategy would best reduce distraction from a TV show while studying?

• Turn down volume so it is less salient
• Watch the show at full volume
• Multitask by writing and singing along
• Ignore study materials completely
• Skip study session

Answer explanation

Lowering the salience of a distraction helps maintain selective attention on the primary task.

Which principle of attentional allocation explains why you focus more easily on conversations with friends?

• Predictive principle
• Uncertainty principle
• Sustained attention principle
• Divided attention principle
• Random allocation

Answer explanation

Predictive principle directs attention to stimuli that are personally meaningful and important.

Which principle explains why you are distracted by unexpected messages?

• Uncertainty principle
• Predictive principle
• Sustained attention principle
• Divided attention principle
• Selective attention principle

Answer explanation

The uncertainty principle states that attention is captured most by unpredictable or novel stimuli.

Why is sustained attention easier in intellectually challenging and interesting tasks?

• High engagement reduces perceived effort and fatigue
• Easy tasks require more focus
• Novel stimuli are ignored
• Fatigue is less likely with easy tasks
• Boredom increases concentration

Answer explanation

Engaging tasks increase motivation and help maintain attention, reducing distraction and fatigue.

Which type of attention is demonstrated when you focus on scoring a goal while ignoring crowd noise?

• Sustained attention
• Divided attention
• Selective attention
• Alternating attention
• Passive attention

Answer explanation

She filters out irrelevant stimuli (crowd noise) to prioritize relevant information, demonstrating selective attention.

Which scenario demonstrates effective use of divided attention?

• Driving while following GPS directions
• Reading a book quietly
• Watching a lecture without notes
• Sitting in a park meditating
• Sleeping while listening to music

Answer explanation

Divided attention allows processing of multiple streams of information simultaneously, such as driving while navigating.

Why might sustained attention be harder during a boring task than a challenging one?

• Low intrinsic motivation and engagement
• The task requires more cognitive effort
• Fatigue is less likely in boring tasks
• Easy tasks are more interesting
• Boredom enhances focus

Answer explanation

Boring tasks reduce engagement, making it harder to maintain attention over time.