Models of Attention

A. MULTIMODE MODEL OF ATTENTION

The multimode model of attention is a framework used in cognitive
psychology to explain how humans allocate their attentional resources to
different stimuli in their environment. According to this model, attention is
divided into three distinct modes or systems: alerting, orienting, and
executive control.

1. Alerting: The alerting system is responsible for maintaining a state of

readiness or vigilance, allowing individuals to quickly detect and
respond to new or unexpected stimuli in their environment. For
example, when driving a car, the alerting system helps to keep the
driver vigilant and ready to respond to unexpected events on the
road, such as a pedestrian suddenly crossing the street.
2. Orienting: The orienting system is responsible for directing attention
towards specific stimuli in the environment, such as a particular
sound or visual cue. This system allows individuals to selectively
focus on the most relevant or important information in their
environment. For example, when searching for a specific item in a
cluttered room, the orienting system helps individuals to selectively
attend to relevant cues and ignore irrelevant ones.
3. Executive control: The executive control system is responsible for
allocating attentional resources to multiple tasks or stimuli
simultaneously, and for suppressing distracting or irrelevant
information. This system allows individuals to multitask and switch
between different tasks as needed. For example, when working on a
complex project, the executive control system helps individuals to
prioritise tasks and manage their time effectively.

Overall, the multimode model of attention suggests that attentional

processes are complex and multifaceted, and involve the interplay of
multiple attentional systems working together.
B. LATE SELECTION MODEL OF ATTENTION
The late selection model of attention is a theoretical framework used in
cognitive psychology to explain how humans filter and process information
in a selective attention task. According to this model, all stimuli are
processed up to the level of meaning, and only then are those that are
relevant to the task at hand selected for further processing.

In other words, the late selection model proposes that attentional selection
occurs after the processing of information has already taken place, rather
than at an earlier stage of perception. This means that all stimuli are
processed to some degree, regardless of their relevance, and only the
relevant information is selected for further processing.

For example, imagine you are at a party and there are many conversations
happening around you. You are focused on your own conversation but you
suddenly hear your name mentioned in a conversation across the room.
According to the late selection model of attention, your brain has already
processed the auditory information from all the conversations happening
around you, but only when your name was mentioned did your attention
switch to that conversation and select it for further processing.

Another example of the late selection model in action is when you are
reading a book and you suddenly realise that you've been reading for
several pages without actually processing any of the information. Your brain
was still processing the words and sentences, but you were not attending
to the meaning of the text until you became aware of your lack of attention.

Overall, the late selection model of attention suggests that attentional

selection is a dynamic and flexible process that is influenced by both
bottom-up (sensory) and top-down (cognitive) factors. The model proposes
that attentional selection occurs after the processing of information has
already taken place, and only the relevant information is selected for further
processing based on the goals and context of the task at hand.
C. THE TREISMAN ATTENTION MODEL

The Treisman attention model is a theoretical framework used in cognitive

psychology to explain how humans selectively attend to and process
information. According to this model, there are two stages of attentional
selection: feature detection and feature integration.

1. Feature Detection: The first stage of the Treisman attention model is

feature detection. In this stage, the brain processes basic features of
stimuli, such as color, shape, and orientation, and selects the relevant
features for further processing. For example, if you are looking for a
red apple in a basket of fruits, your brain will detect the color red as a
relevant feature and focus on apples with that feature.
2. Feature Integration: The second stage of the Treisman attention
model is feature integration. In this stage, the brain combines the
selected features into coherent objects, allowing us to perceive the
objects as wholes rather than as a collection of separate features. For
example, once your brain has detected the red color and apple shape
features, it will combine them to form the perception of a red apple.

The Treisman attention model suggests that attentional selection is

influenced by both bottom-up (sensory) and top-down (cognitive) factors.
For example, in the case of the red apple, the bottom-up factor was the
color red, which automatically attracted attention, while the top-down factor
was the goal of finding an apple, which directed attention to objects with
apple shape.

Overall, the Treisman attention model proposes that attentional selection is

a dynamic process that involves the selective processing of basic features
followed by the integration of those features into meaningful objects. This
model helps to explain how we are able to selectively attend to and process
relevant information in our environment.
D. BROADBENT’S FILTER MODEL
The Broadbent filter model is a theoretical framework used in cognitive
psychology to explain how humans selectively attend to and process
information. According to this model, attention acts as a filter that selects
relevant information for further processing while blocking out irrelevant
information.

The Broadbent filter model proposes that sensory information enters the
sensory buffer, which has a limited capacity and is rapidly overwritten by
new information. The filter then selects relevant information based on
physical characteristics such as location, intensity, and pitch, and allows it
to pass through to the limited capacity processing stage. The filter blocks
out irrelevant information, which is not processed beyond the sensory
buffer stage.

For example, imagine you are in a crowded coffee shop trying to study. You
might be able to filter out the background noise and focus on your reading
because the noise is not relevant to the task at hand. However, if someone
mentions your name, you would be able to immediately attend to that
information because it is relevant to you.

Another example of the Broadbent filter model in action is when you are
watching a movie with subtitles. You are able to filter out the background
noise and focus on the dialogue because it is relevant to understanding the
movie's plot.

Overall, the Broadbent filter model proposes that attention is a selective

process that filters out irrelevant information and allows relevant
information to pass through for further processing. The model helps to
explain how we are able to selectively attend to and process relevant
information in our environment, despite the overwhelming amount of
sensory information we are constantly exposed to.