How Do You Spell SELECTIVE ATTENTION?

Pronunciation: [sɪlˈɛktɪv ɐtˈɛnʃən] (IPA)

The correct spelling of the phrase "selective attention" is /səˈlɛktɪv əˈtɛnʃən/. The IPA phonetic transcription provides a clear guide to the sounds of this term. The first syllable "sə" is pronounced like "suh," the second syllable "lɛktɪv" sounds like "lek-tiv," and the third syllable "ə" is pronounced like "uh." Finally, the fourth syllable "tɛnʃən" sounds like "ten-shun." Selective attention refers to the ability to focus on specific stimuli while filtering out others.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
Basic Check Advanced Check

SELECTIVE ATTENTION Meaning and Definition

  1. Selective attention is a cognitive process that involves the ability to focus on particular stimuli while filtering out irrelevant or distracting information. It refers to the brain's ability to concentrate on a specific aspect of the environment or pay attention to specific details among various incoming stimuli, while disregarding others. This process allows individuals to direct their mental resources towards the information that is most significant or relevant to their current task or goal.

    Selective attention involves both conscious and unconscious processes. Individuals consciously choose to focus on certain stimuli based on their personal goals, interests, or environmental demands. Meanwhile, unconscious processes help filter out irrelevant information to prevent sensory overload and maintain cognitive efficiency.

    The brain's ability to selectively attend to certain stimuli is crucial for effective perception, memory, and decision-making. Selective attention is responsible for our ability to engage in conversations in noisy environments, read a book amidst distractions, or locate objects in a cluttered space.

    There are different types of selective attention, including visual, auditory, and tactile attention, each related to specific sensory modalities. Visual attention, for example, enables individuals to zoom in on a specific area or object in their visual field, while ignoring other surrounding stimuli. Auditory attention allows individuals to focus on a specific sound or conversation amidst a cacophony of background noise.

    Overall, selective attention serves as a cognitive filter, allowing individuals to prioritize and process relevant information while ignoring or minimizing distractions.

Etymology of SELECTIVE ATTENTION

The word "selective" derives from the Latin word "selectus", which means "chosen" or "picked out". It comes from the verb "selegere", which combines "se" (meaning "apart" or "aside") and "legere" (meaning "choose" or "collect"). The term "attention" comes from the Latin word "attentio", which means "attention" or "closeness". Therefore, "selective attention" refers to the ability to choose or focus on specific things while disregarding or ignoring others.