Attentional Process
The cognitive mechanisms that control what information we select, focus on, and process.
Also known as: Attention mechanisms, Attentional control, Cognitive attention
Category: Concepts
Tags: attention, cognition, focus, psychology, processing
Explanation
Attentional processes are the cognitive mechanisms that control what information we select, focus on, and process from the overwhelming stream of sensory input. Attention is a limited resource that must be allocated strategically. Types of attention: selective attention (focusing on one thing while ignoring others), divided attention (processing multiple streams simultaneously), sustained attention (maintaining focus over time), and executive attention (top-down control of focus). Attentional mechanisms: bottom-up (stimulus-driven, automatic - loud noises grab attention), top-down (goal-driven, voluntary - searching for a specific item), and filtering (blocking irrelevant information). Why attention matters: it's the gateway to consciousness (what you don't attend to, you don't experience), it's limited (can't attend to everything), and it's controllable (but requires effort). Attention and performance: focus enables depth, divided attention reduces quality, and attention training improves capacity. For knowledge workers, understanding attentional processes helps: design work environments that support focus, recognize attention as a finite resource to protect, and develop practices that strengthen attentional control.
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