Stability of attention is one of the properties that characterizes the ability to concentrate on the same process or phenomenon for a long period of time.
What is attention
Attention is (in psychology) the purposeful perception of a particular object or phenomenon. It is important to understand that this is a rather variable phenomenon, which can be influenced by both internal and external factors.
Attention is in psychology a kind of attitude of a person to an object with which he interacts. It can be influenced not only by mental and psychological characteristics, but also by the interest of the individual in working with one or another object.
It can be said that the stability of attention is one of the most important conditions for successful activity in absolutely any field. Thanks to this category, the clarity of human perception of the world and the processes that take place in it is determined. Despite the fact that when concentrating on the main object, everything else seems to fade into the background, attention can constantly switch.
Scientists devote a lot of time to the study of attention, it cannot be considered a self-sufficient psychological phenomenon or process. Itis inextricably linked with many other phenomena and is considered only in close relationship with other accompanying processes, being one of their many properties.
Types and forms of attention
It can be said that attention is a rather complex and multifaceted phenomenon. It can differ on the basis of primary or secondary perception of information. Thus, voluntary and involuntary attention can be distinguished.
If a person unconsciously concentrates on a particular object or process, then this kind of attention is called involuntary. We are talking about unconscious attitudes that can be caused by a strong sudden exposure to a stimulus. This type quite often develops into conscious voluntary attention. Also, passive concentration is quite often caused by past impressions, which are repeated to some extent in the present.
Thus, if we summarize the above information, we can say that involuntary attention is due to the following number of reasons:
- unexpected exposure to an irritant;
- strength of influence;
- new, unfamiliar sensations;
- dynamism of the stimulus (it is moving objects that most often cause concentration of attention);
- contrasting situations;
- mental processes.
Voluntary attention arises as a result of conscious excitatory processes in the cerebral cortex. Quite often, outside influence is necessary for its formation (for example, teachers, parents, authoritative personalities).
It is important to understand that voluntary attention is an indispensable attribute of a person's labor activity. It is accompanied by physical and emotional effort, and also causes fatigue, like physical work. That is why psychologists recommend sometimes switching to abstract objects so as not to expose your brain to tremendous stress.
Psychologists distinguish not only voluntary and involuntary attention. After a person has concentrated on an object and studied it well, further perception occurs as if automatically. This phenomenon is called post-voluntary, or secondary.
If we talk about the forms of attention, then we can distinguish external (on surrounding objects), internal (on mental processes), and also motor (moving objects are perceived).
Basic properties of attention
Psychologists distinguish the following properties of attention: stability, focus, distribution, volume, intensity, switchability, concentration. Let's consider them in more detail.
- Concentration is the ability to keep attention on a particular object or process. This means that it stands out and stands apart from the general background. The strength of the connection with the object is determined by how bright, pronounced and clear it is.
- Attention span refers to the number of objects that can be captured by a person's consciousness at a time. Depending on this, people can perceive a different number of information units. The volume can be determined using special tests. ATdepending on the results, special exercises to increase it may be recommended.
- Stability of attention is an indicator that determines the duration of concentration on the same object.
- Switchability is a purposeful change in the object of attention. This may be due to both the nature of the activity and the need for rest and relaxation.
- Distribution determines the ability of attention to simultaneously concentrate on several objects of different nature. In this case, different organs of perception may be involved.
What is attention span
Stability of attention is a property that is determined by the ability to maintain focus on an object or activity for a long period of time. We can say that this is a characteristic that determines the duration of concentration.
It is worth noting that the stability of attention cannot be determined in relation to any one object. A person can switch between objects or activities, however, the general direction and meaning must remain constant. Thus, if a person over a certain period of time is engaged in activities (or several types of activities) to achieve a specific goal, then one can judge the stability of his attention. This category is characterized by a number of requirements, the main thing is the diversity of actions and impressions that they bring. If the nature of the stimulus remains unchanged, thenthe area of the brain responsible for this or that activity, inhibition is observed, and, as a result, attention begins to dissipate. If the nature and conditions of activity constantly vary, then the concentration will be long-term.
It is worth noting that concentration and switching of attention can alternate, depending on internal and external conditions. Even if the individual is in a state of highest concentration, due to internal brain processes, some fluctuations may occur. If we talk about external stimuli, then they can not always lead to distraction of attention (this largely depends on their intensity).
Distribution of attention
Divided attention is a state that occurs as a result of the simultaneous performance of several actions. So, for example, the driver of a minibus not only controls the vehicle, but also controls the situation on the road. The teacher, while conveying information to the students, also monitors the observance of discipline. This category can also be illustrated by the work of a cook who can simultaneously control the process of cooking several products.
Psychologists study not only the distribution phenomenon itself, but also its physiological nature. This process is due to the appearance in the cerebral cortex of a certain focus of excitation, which can spread its influence to other areas. In this case, partial inhibition may be observed. Nevertheless, it absolutely does not affect the performance of actions if they are brought to automatism. This explains the ease of implementation of complex processes in people who have mastered their profession well. The distribution of attention can be difficult if the individual simultaneously tries to perform actions that are in no way connected with each other (this has been proven by numerous experiments). However, if one of them is brought to automatism or habit, then the task is simplified. The ability to combine the performance of several activities at the same time belongs to such a category as he alth factors.
Attention levels
The level of attention is the dependence of concentration on a certain activity on physiological and mental processes. So, we can talk about the following categories:
- the level of the physical body implies the realization that the objects to which attention is directed are separated from the organism itself, and therefore are foreign (this makes it possible to perceive them regardless of physiological processes);
- energy level implies a higher level of interaction with objects, which consists in receiving some internal sensations associated with the process of work (they can contribute to concentration or dispersion of attention);
- the level of energy metabolism implies that a high degree of concentration is achieved due to the fact that a person receives moral and physical satisfaction from the performance of a particular process;
- common space level implies that concentrationand stability of attention may to some extent come from the mere fact of being with the subject within the same limited territory;
- extra-spatial attention is associated with internal mental and psychological processes (we are talking about unconditional understanding or knowledge that an individual receives with the experience of activity);
- will level is the ability to force oneself to focus on an unwanted or uninteresting activity because it is necessary to achieve a certain result;
- level of awareness implies that concentration occurs when a person understands the meaning and anticipates the results of activities.
How to develop attention span
At the moment, there are many methods and tests that allow you to determine the levels of attention stability. Unfortunately, their results are not always satisfactory, but this situation is quite fixable. The development of attention stability becomes possible thanks to the techniques developed by psychologists. This allows you to increase efficiency, as well as learning.
The most effective and commonly used exercises are the following:
- Set your mobile phone's timer to two minutes. All this time, you should completely focus your attention on the tip of your finger (no matter which one). If you can handle this task without problems, then try to complicate it. For example, turn on the TV and try to keep your attention on your finger against its background. It's best if you do similar workoutsdaily.
- Get in a comfortable position and focus completely on your breathing. You can also try to feel the heartbeat. At the same time, the room does not have to be perfect silence, you can turn on the music. This exercise is useful not only for developing concentration, but also for relaxation.
- When on public transport, take a seat by the window and concentrate fully on the glass, ignoring the objects behind it. Change priority later.
- The following exercise is done before going to bed, because it not only develops concentration, but also helps to relax. Take a standard sheet of text and put a dot in the middle with a green felt-tip pen or marker. You need to look at it for 5 minutes, while not allowing any extraneous thoughts to enter the mind.
- If your activity is connected with the perception of sounds, then it is necessary to train this particular apparatus. It is advisable to go to the park and for 10 minutes try to hear only the sounds of nature, while not paying attention to the conversations of passers-by or the noise of passing cars.
Psychological he alth factors are largely related to the ability to maintain attention span. This brings success in professional and daily activities. If your natural abilities are not at the highest level, then you need to develop them with the help of special exercises.
Neuropsychology
The neuropsychology of attention is a separate field of knowledge that studies the issues of concentration,linking them to neural processes. Initially, such studies were carried out exclusively on animals, by connecting electrodes to certain areas of the brain. In order to investigate the stability of human attention, electroencephalogram technology is used. To do this, the body must be in an awake state. In this way, it is possible to fix the excitation or inhibition of nerve impulses during the performance of a certain kind of activity. In this context, psychologist EN Sokolov plays a huge role. Through a large number of studies, he proved that when the same action is performed repeatedly, attention becomes automatic. Thus, the brain ceases to actively respond to the stimulus, which affects the results of the electroencephalogram. The brain decides that in this case there is no need for excitation, because the body has a certain mechanical memory.
Selective Concentration Process
Selective attention is a psychological and mental process that consists in filtering out external stimuli and stimuli in order to single out those that really require concentration and concentration.
This phenomenon is constantly studied by psychologists for how mental processes are dependent on the selective activity of the brain. This can be explained with a simple example. If at first we hear a hum of voices in a noisy place, then as soon as someone addresses us directly, we begin to focus our attention only on this while background noisesare lost.
Psychologists conducted the following experiment: headphones were inserted into the ears of the subject, into which different sound sequences were fed. To their surprise, the man heard only one of the tracks. At the same time, when a certain signal was given, attention switched to another melody. Selective attention concerns not only hearing, but also visual perception. If you try to catch different pictures on two monitors with each eye, then you will not succeed. You will only be able to see one image clearly.
Thus, we can say that the human brain has the ability to filter information that comes through certain channels, focusing on only one of the essential points. Concentration and shifting of attention can be determined by internal or external factors.
Conclusion
Sustainability of attention is the ability of a person to focus on studying a particular object or performing a particular type of activity. It is this factor that largely determines the efficiency and volume of perceived information. It is important to understand that concentration of attention allows you to cast all secondary factors into the background, but this does not mean at all that a change of emphasis is excluded.
If we talk about the types of attention, we can distinguish arbitrary and involuntary. The first one is conscious. The focus is on the object that directly interests the individual. At the same time, if such concentration occurs regularly, the brain begins to concentrateautomatically. This kind of attention is called post-voluntary. But it often happens that an individual completely unexpectedly switches to objects or phenomena that have no direct relation to his activity. In this case, we can talk about involuntary attention. It can be harsh sounds, bright colors, etc.
Attention has a number of properties. The main one is concentration. It implies the ability to keep a specific object in the spotlight for a certain period of time. Volume characterizes the number of objects or activities that a person can focus on at the same time, but stability is the time during which this state can be maintained.
Quite interesting is such a phenomenon as the distribution of attention. This means that it is not at all necessary for a person to concentrate on only one single type of activity. Sometimes, due to the specifics of the activity, several processes have to be performed simultaneously. At the same time, some of them are brought to automatism, while others require certain mental and psychological efforts. The most striking examples are the professional activities of a teacher or a driver of a vehicle.
It is important to understand that not every person is able to keep the same object in the spotlight for a long time or perform a homogeneous activity. In order to find out your abilities, you can pass certain psychological tests. Based on their results, it is easy to determinelevel of attention span. If it turns out to be unsatisfactory, it is recommended to resort to a number of special exercises.
Psychologists are quite actively studying such a phenomenon as selective concentration. This mechanism allows you to select the desired object from a number of similar ones. Moreover, we can talk about visual, auditory, tactile and other types of perceptions. Among the noise of voices, a person can distinguish the speech of the interlocutor, from several melodies he hears only one, and if we are talking about two images, then it is impossible to catch them with each eye separately.
