A theory is presented that attempts to answer two questions. What visual contents can an observer consciously access at one moment? Answer: only one feature value (e.g., green) per dimension, but those feature values can be associated (as a group) with multiple spatially precise locations (comprising a single labeled Boolean map). How can an…

J. S. Joseph, M. M. Chun, and K. Nakayama (1997) found that pop-out visual search was impaired as a function of intertarget lag in an attentional blink (AB) paradigm in which the 1st target was a letter and the 2nd target was a search display. In 4 experiments, the present authors tested the implication that search efficiency should be similarly…

Two experiments were conducted to examine whether abrupt onsets are capable of reflexively capturing attention when they occur outside the current focus of spatial attention, as would be expected if exogenous orienting operates in a truly automatic fashion. The authors established a highly focused attentional state by means of the central…

Strength-based approaches, originating in juvenile justice as early as the late 1800s, situate the work of juvenile correctional facilities as assisting youth in utilizing their strengths and competencies to understand how they can be applied their lives to affect change and growth. While strengths-based approaches might have originated…

Nursery school and second grade subjects were trained on an optional shift task and results were compared with predictions derived from selective attention theory. Findings indicate that the one-look assumption does not hold and that a multiple-look theory, in which the breadth of attention varies with task demands, seems tenable. (GO)

To compare various cognitive treatment approaches for ameliorating difficulties of hyperactive children on tasks requiring sustained vigilance and accuracy, 48 hyperactive boys (mean age 9 years 4 months) were randomly assigned to one of four training conditions: inhibitory control training, attention training, combined training, or control. The…

Use of the drug Fenfluramine, which reduces blood serotonin levels and possible problem behaviors, was evaluated. Nine of 10 Ss showed reduced serotonin; none showed significant differences on intelligence tests; and at least two Ss showed marked behavioral changes in less echolalia, perseveration, and motoric disturbance and more increases in…

Seven children (8-12 years old) with language disorders associated with convulsive disorders participated in two divided-attention tasks in which pairs of sentences were presented simultaneously. Results showed that slowing presentation of the primary sentences significantly improved performance on secondary sentences, even though secondary…

Results of a study of the differential impact of three types of reinforcers (edibles, social praise, and sensory events) on the attending behavior of three severely handicapped boys (9-12 years old) supported the contention that performance is a function of the value attributed to a reinforcer. (CL)

Retarded Ss receiving occipital alpha feedback significantly decreased their alpha density in reference to the random feedback (control) group. Results are discussed in terms of potential implications for visual attention, training techniques for mentally retarded adolescents, and other biofeedback applications. (Author)

The article discusses the advantages of the term "Attention Deficit Disorder" (ADD) as a diagnostic category for some children not labeled learning disabled. (DB)

The author defines stimulus control (using responses and skills which have been previously acquired) and suggests that it is of critical importance in the instructional process with learning disabled students. Research on variables of attention and time on-task is reviewed. (CL)

Two experiments investigated the role of distractor characteristics and type of object-directed attention on 7- and 10-month-old infants' distraction latencies during object exploration. Found that infants took longer to turn toward distractors during focused object-directed attention than when engaged in more casual attention. They exhibited…

A visual discrimination task was used to measure concentration among 43 members of Swiss national orienteering teams. Subjects were above average in the number of target objects dealt with and in duration of continuous concentration. For females only, ranking in orienteering performance was related to quality of concentration (ratio of correct to…

The relationship between attention and general intelligence was investigated considering the different types of attention: alertness, sustained attention, focused attention, attentional switching, divided attention, attention according to the supervisory attentional system, attention as inhibition, spatial attention, attention as planning,…