Selective Attention / Stroop Effect (Chapter 4) Attention – focusing awareness on a narrowed aspect of the environment – selective attention • cocktail party effect • Stroop effect (failure of selecti Original Papers

Selective Attention / Stroop Effect (Chapter 4)

Attention– focusing awareness on a narrowed aspect of the environment– selective attention• cocktail party effect• Stroop effect (failure of selective attention)– attention attracted by novelty, size, color, movement, emotional stimuli– emotion-induced blindness– inattentional blindness

STROOP EFFECT• As fast as you can, name each color of ink used to print each of the rectangles below.• Now, as fast as you can, name the color of ink used to print each word shown below, ignoring what each word says.Source: Stroop (1935).

2. Sensory Adaptation (Chapter 4)

Sensory Adaptation– change in responsiveness of sensory system– based on level of surrounding stimulation (darkened room, bright outdoors)

3. Sleep Deprivation (Chapter 5)

SLEEP DEPRIVATIONChronic sleep deprivation results in…– decreased activity in thalamus and prefrontal cortex– inability to sustain attention– poor decision making and problem solving

4. Mindfulness Meditation (Chapter 5)

MEDITATIONCharacterized by• Focused attention• Open monitoringBrain activity different from both waking and sleep statesMindfulness meditation used to treat a variety of conditions (e.g., depression, stress, and chronic pain).Loving kindness meditation—heightened feelings of social connection, positive emotions, and increased ability to cope with stress

5. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (Chapter 16)

COGNITIVE THERAPIES• Emphasis of Approach– thoughts (cognitions) are the primary source of psychological problems– to change feelings, change thoughts– focus on symptoms, skill development rather than root causes– directive therapy• Goals of Therapy– cognitive restructuring: changing a pattern of thought that is causing maladaptive behavior or emotion

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy– reduce self-defeating thoughts– incorporates behavior therapy– self-instructional methods– enhancing self-efficacy (Bandura)Most common form of therapy used today