There are
many stimuli in your environment of which you are not aware. You use attention
to filter out unimportant stimuli and focus on relevant stimuli. However, there
are circumstances under which you cannot perceive stimuli, regardless of how
hard you “pay attention.” One situation is when visual stimuli are
presented in quick succession. If the interval between the two stimuli is short
enough, you do not perceive the second stimulus. This lapse in attention is
known as attentional blink. In this assignment, you will experience the
attentional blink for yourself and will also read about practical implications
of the phenomenon.
Access
the CogLab demonstrationAttentional
Blink. Follow the instructions to complete the demonstration.
Read the
following article:
·
Livesey, E. J., Harris, I. M.,
& Harris, J. A. (2009).Attentional changes
during implicit learning: Signal validity protects a target stimulus from the
attentional blink. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning,
Memory, and Cognition, 35(2), 408-408-422.
doi:10.1037/a0014525 (ProQuest Document ID: 614494049)
Using the
experience from the CogLab demonstration and information from the article,
write a paper that addresses the following:
·
Explain how the attentional blink
relates to attention. Analyze how the variation in time influences the
probability of seeing the second target letter. Explain the circumstances under
which the attentional blink can be eliminated.
·
In the CogLab demonstration,
letters were used as targets. The target used can influence the duration of
one’s attentional blink and whether the attentional blink even occurs. Complete
the following tasks:
o
Propose at least two other
targets that could be used to induce the attentional blink.
o
Predict the effect each of your
suggested targets would have on the duration of one’s attentional blink as
compared to the CogLab activity you completed.
o
Explain the reasoning behind your
predictions.
·
Present and discuss at least
three occupations in which workers’ performance could be adversely affected by
attentional blink. Identify and explain the types of problems or mistakes that
might occur in such occupations due to the attentional blink.
·
Several years ago, some vehicle
models came with a heads-up display (HUD). Instead of looking down at a panel
on the dashboard, speed, distance traveled, fuel level, and time appeared to be
displayed over the hood of the car. Discuss this design in terms of divided
attention and attentional blink. Do you think the design was a good idea?
Write a
4-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.
