Attention

:This article discusses the psychological concept of attention. For the military concept, see military courtesy.

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:For the Buddhist concept of attention, see mindfulness.

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Attention is the cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one thing while ignoring other things. Examples include listening carefully to what someone is saying while ignoring other conversations in the room. Attention can also be split, as when a person drives a car, puts on makeup, and talks on a cell phone at the same time.

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Attention is one of the most intensely studied topics within psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Of the many cognitive processes associated with the human mind (decision-making, memory, emotion, etc), attention is considered the most concrete because it is tied so closely to perception. As such, it is a gateway to the rest of cognition.

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The most famous definition of attention was provided by one of the first major psychologists, William James:

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"Everyone knows what attention is. It is the taking possession by the mind in clear and vivid form, of one out of what seem several simultaneously possible objects or trains of thought...It implies withdrawal from some things in order to deal effectively with others." (Principles of Psychology, 1890)

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Cognitive process: REDIRECT Cognition...

Cell phone: REDIRECT Mobile phone...

Psychology: Psychology (Classical Greek: psyche = "soul" or "mind", logos = "study of") is an academic and applied field involving the study of behavior, mind and thought and the neurological bases of behavior. Psychology also refers to the application of such knowledge to various spheres of human activity, inc...

Attention related Images and Photos (experimental)

Wale: Attention Deficit CD [PA]	The Centre of Attention 1902	Let's Talk About Needing Attention (Paperback)	Samuel Pepys Pays Little Attention While Artist Paints Portrait of His Wife
Cold Stream Guard Standing at Attention Seen from Cambridge Gate of South Front	A Juvenile Kinkajou Nuzzles its Mother for Attention in a Balsa Tree	Tsar Nicholas I of Russia Inspecting His Guards Standing to Attention