Definition: Attention is the behavioral and cognitive process of selectively concentrating on a discrete aspect of information, whether deemed subjective or objective, while ignoring other perceivable information ( chapter 4). 

Overt Attention

Overt Attention is the link between eye movement, attention and the perception of our environment. Cortical and sub-cortical structures. Attention can be influenced by stimulus salience such as the color, contrast and movement. The rolling of the red ball in chapter two is a good example of attention influence by stimulus. Bottom-up process plays a role in stimulus salience because it depends solely on the pattern of light and dark color.

Covert Attention

Covert attention is keeping our eyes stationed on an individual or object but our attention is directed elsewhere. Covert attention can be useful when not trying to appear distracted and yet attending to a more important thing. I use covert attention in my daily life more than its required. Last weekend I went to a bar with my friends. I’m very antsy when I go to places that have more than two humans. My friend decided that she wanted to dance and while we were dancing I found myself listening to two girls. The girls’ conversation consisted of “omgs” and a lot of flirtatious comments. The reason my attention was diverted was because I did not want to dance but I still danced because my friend doesn't like dancing by herself. Overt attention was turn on as soon as I walked into the bar. I scanned the room and I found us a seat by the window. I also used bottom-top processing when examining the bar and finding all of the emergency exit signs and bathroom.

Selective Attention

Selective attention gives us the ability to prioritize and attend to some things while ignoring others. Goal-driven control is driven by an individual’s current goals and learned priorities. Reflexive attention is when our attention is diverted to a sudden change in our environment. Loud bangs or flashing light. Stimulus driven control is not dependent on current behavioral goals.I think I have a high functioning selective attention because I stay attended to whatever I’m doing regardless of what is going on in my surrounding. I simply tune out anything irreverent to me. Cierra and Tierra carpool with me every day to school. They are very chatty and I am not a morning person, I would tune them out and focus on the road or think about my schedule for the day.

The Brain

The brain regions that are involved in attention are superior colliculus and pulvinar nucleus, thalamus. Damage to these structures can result in defects in overt and covert attention. Neglect disorder occurs when the brain’s attention network is damaged in only one hemisphere caused my stroke (Ogden, 2012). More severe and persistent effects occur when the right hemisphere is damaged. Have attention bias in the direction of their lesion (Ogden, 2012). Right hemisphere lesion would bias attention toward the right, neglecting the left.