Attention theories

Broadbent

In Broadbent’s (1958) “split-scan”experiment, letters are presentedsimultaneously to the left and right ears.

Subjects CAN filter.

Attention theories

Broadbent

Gray and Weddebum’s (1960) “DearAunt Jane” experiment: The message“Dear Aunt Jane” starts in the left ear,jumps to the right ear and then goes back to the left.

CONTENT affects the ‘filtering’.

Attention theories

Flow diagram for Treisman’s attenuation model of selective attention.

Attention theories

Strayer and Johnston’s (2001) cell-phone experiment. The person talking on the cell phone (a) missed more red lights, and (b) took longer to apply the brakes.

Flanker-compatibility task used to test the “spotlight” approach to attention. Pay attention to a target stimulus at S and ignore flanker stimuli like the H’s.

Neglect Syndrome

• Cause– Unilateral parietal lesion, typically on the right

• Main symptoms– Failure to acknowledge objects or events in thehemispace contralateral to the lesion, typically the left

• Act as if the left side of space does not exist

Neglect - Line Cancellation

Neglect - Copying

Recovery from Neglect

Self-portraits of German artist Anton Raederscheidt at progressive time points after the stroke

Remainingasymmetry

Neglect and Imagery

• Bisiach and Luzzatti (1978) asked Milan neglect patients to imagine Piazza del Duomo as if they were standing on the cathedral steps or on the other side of the piazza, and name as many buildings as they could.