Definitions of Different
Forms of Attention

This is studied by presenting people with two or more stimulus inputs at the same time and instructing them to respond only to one.

This term represents the main assumption of spotlight theory. Everything within a fairly small region of the visual field can be seen clearly, but it is much harder to see anything not falling within the beam of the attentional spotlight.

This is a form of attention suggested by Posner (1980) that is a bottom-up process, allowing a rapid switch of attention to an unexpected but important event.

This is an automatic mode of attention suggested by Posner (1980) to be involved when presented with uninformative peripheral cues. This is also studied by presenting at least two stimulus inputs at the same time, but with instructions that participants must attend to and respond to all stimulus inputs.

This term is used to refer to the finding that visual attention is often directed to things rather than a particular region or location.

This is hypothesised to be controlled by voluntary intentions.

This is used when an unexpected and potentially important stimulus (e.g., flames appearing under the door of your room) is presented.

This is where the focus of attention shifts to a different spatial location in the absence of an eye movement.

This is where perception in a non-visual modality (e.g., a sound) is used to direct visual attention.

The functioning of this form of attention is influenced by expectation, knowledge and the current intentions.

This is when attention is directed towards two areas or regions that are not adjacent to each other.

This is thought to be a high-level form of attention that influences attentional processes within each sensory modality.