What Is Attention? Understanding The Nature of Attentionfor a Better Attention Span.
“Effort of Attention is thus the essential phenomenon of will.”
---William James
Philosophers and scientists have tried for centuries to settle on a definitive concept to define and quantify Attention alongside its scientifically elusive partners, Consciousness and Awareness. For the purpose of improving your attention span, a bit of practical knowledge into the nature of attention can help make your attention training process more efficient and enjoyble. Before you dive into Attention, though, look at this very short definition of Awareness, which you'll need to know, because Attention is the concentration of Awareness. So, briefly, here's what Awareness is...
Awareness: The BACKBONE and Master Operator of Attention!
There is an ancient dictum by French mathematician and philosopher René Descartes that goes, "COGITO, ERGO, SUM," which means, "I think, therefore, I am." Knowing that you perceive - knowing that you have a body, and that you're thinking thoughts, seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, smelling, loving, laughing, and feeling. To know these things is to be aware. That moment to moment realization of your own existence is Awareness. When you are aware of something, you know that it exists, even if you are only aware of its intellectual possiblity, such as when imagining the concept of Time or Gravity or an Idea.
That fact that you are aware of something is bolstered by the fact that you can choose to move your Awareness, to expand it broadly or shrink it to a narrow point. You can move awaress around your body and externally around your environment. This motion of Awareness - its intentional choosing of what matters, is Attention.
You can know, investigate, inspect, test, grab, and let go. You can follow patterns and create new ones simply by will of adjusting Awareness. Keep in mind that your being able to observe something holds two important facts that will be of use to you in building a better Attention Span:
- You are NOT what you perceive or think. That which you observe is not you. No matter the reaction or feelings that arise within yourself in response to what you perceive, you are not the thing that you perceive. This is especially important when you begin training to control your Attention even while dealing with insistent, disobedient thoughts and feelings that don't want to settle down. You are not that which you are aware of. The benefit of this knowledge is that, when an unpleasant mental event happens, you do not have to identify with it, nor suffer it's nasty effects. You can choose what to do with your Awareness, and that includes not wasting it in wasteful mental and emotional distractions.
- You EXPERIENCE everything that you perceive or think. All that you are aware of, has some form of instant affect on your Central Nervous System. When you see a sunrise coming up during a stroll on the beach, it's not merely the uninvolved sighting of a gaseous orb rising above a chemical sea of intermixed liquids. You experience 'Sunrise on the Beach,' and every single second of the event plays across billions of nerve connections in your brain - visual, auditory, kinesthic and other brain systems get involved to feed back a memorable experience of the event.
If, while on the beach with another person, they bring up an unpleasant conversation topic, your Awareness (that was prior broadly distributed in 'Attention to the Sunrise') would probably detach itself from the clear, enjoyable experience and narrow in on the new signal that is filled with unpleasant content. That change of 'Attention Target' requires Awareness to shift from broad, external targeting to narrow, external targeting. Whereas Awareness attended to the sight and sound and the pleasant physical relaxation berfore, it transitions those same senses to take in the new signal. The new signal - a person talking - prompts Awareness to sacrifice clarity of visual information in favor of a clearer auditory signal in order to take in the words of the speaker.
In that scenario, the pleasant experience of the sunrise shifts to a different experience because the inbound signals to which you are attending have changed. That quickly, you move from one experience of the universe to another, in real-time. The new experience, of the person talking negatively, washes across your Central Nervous System, and what you experience is unpleasant, in comparison the prior experience. However, within a few minutes, you might both shift your Awareness back to the sunset and, together, your central nervous systems attune to the new, more pleasant experience signals. We shift experiences as we shift thought and environment throughout the day - thousands and thousands of times.
Awareness - which is your knowing that you exist in the present moment - is your brain's highest functioning ability. With Awareness, you attend, concentrate, create a focus, and operate mindfully throughout the day (if you've been fortunate enough to train your attention for it. There are 'LEVELS' of Awareness (lower levels to higher levels), but the topic is too complex to deal with here, nor is it necessary to begin Attention Control Training. Just be aware that, as you continue training your Attention, your level of Self-Awareness will expand along with its natural benefits.
Now that you're aware of what Awareness is - and that it is your Awareness that drives Attention (when you're awake, mentally, in the driver's seat), and we know that when you are not in the driver's seat, that your imagination takes over Attention and your body switches to default mode. Now, we move on to the concept of Attention as a training resource to improve its own functioning and your skills at directing its power.
Attention vs Awareness: The Difference.
Attention and awareness are two cognitive functions that are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. While both functions are related to our ability to perceive and process information, they operate in different ways and have distinct effects on our cognitive processes and behavior.
Attention is the process of selectively focusing on a particular aspect of our environment or our internal mental state. It involves filtering out irrelevant or distracting information and directing our mental resources towards specific stimuli or tasks. Attention is a limited resource, and we can only focus on a few things at a time. Therefore, attention helps us to prioritize our cognitive resources and allocate them efficiently.
Awareness, on the other hand, is the broader and more holistic process of being conscious of our environment, our thoughts, and our emotions. Unlike attention, awareness is not selective or goal-directed; instead, it involves an open and receptive state of mind that allows us to take in information from multiple sources simultaneously. Awareness is not a limited resource, and we can be aware of many things at the same time.
Attention and awareness have different effects on our cognitive processes and behavior. Attention is essential for focused and goal-directed tasks, such as reading, driving, or solving complex problems. When we pay attention to something, we enhance our perceptual and cognitive abilities, and we are more likely to remember and act on the information we receive. However, attention can also be a source of stress and fatigue, especially when we have to sustain it for long periods or when we are exposed to multiple distractors.
Awareness, on the other hand, is associated with a more relaxed and mindful state of mind. When we are aware, we are more likely to notice subtle details, patterns, and connections that we might miss when we are focused on a specific task. Awareness also helps us to regulate our emotions and to be more empathic and compassionate towards others. However, awareness can also be distracting or overwhelming, especially when we are exposed to multiple stimuli or when we are in a noisy or chaotic environment.
In conclusion, attention and awareness are two distinct but complementary cognitive functions that are critical for our cognitive and emotional well-being. While attention helps us to focus on specific tasks and goals, awareness helps us to navigate the complex and dynamic environment around us. Both attention and awareness are necessary for optimal performance and personal growth, and we should cultivate both functions through mindfulness practices and cognitive training. By understanding the difference between attention and awareness, we can learn to balance and integrate these functions and to lead a more fulfilling and mindful life.
Attention is Defined as The Concentration of Awareness.
You need to understand the nature of attention if you are to transition from an Attention Rookie into an Attention Professional. Every moment of every day, your sensory organs perceive the world around you, and the amount of information flowing through your central nervous system would overwhelm you if your brain didn't have a system to filter out unnecessary sensory input. Without your brain's 'sensory bouncers' standing at the door of perception, the world would be completely confusing to you because there would be too much input to decipher.
Thankfully, your brain filters out a lot of nonsense, easing your processing workload and allowing you the ability to choose where to direct the bulk of your sensory effort - your sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. You can choose to know more about anything you perceive, and by choosing what to focus on, automatically and simultaneously choose what to ignore.
Attention means using your senses to choose one stimulus over another - intentionally bringing together of mental resources to narrow in on one aspect of what you perceive while other characteristics of your target - or target environment, become less noticed. Classiclally, attention was defined by Psychology pioneer William James in this way, "Attention 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, localization, concentration, of consciousness are of its essence."
Like the Director behind a video shoot selecting just the right shot, angle, and lighting; or an artist who selects the exact hue and shade needed match her model's facial tone - your brain's attention systems allow you to be aware of yourself and surroundings, and then adjust the lens (bubble, globe, scope, scale) of your Awareness to select exactly what interests you most, for whatever reason, in that moment.
What is Attention? Understanding the Standard Medical Definition from a Modern Viewpoint
Attention is a complex cognitive process that involves the selection and concentration of specific stimuli while ignoring others. It is a function of the brain that allows us to focus on relevant information and filter out irrelevant information. Attention is a crucial part of our daily lives, and it is essential for our survival.
The standard medical definition of attention is the ability to concentrate and sustain focus on a particular task or stimulus. It is the cognitive process of selectively attending to information while disregarding other stimuli. Attention is a critical function of the brain that is essential for survival, learning, and problem-solving.
Attention is the ability to gather (gather force, concentrate), direct, and hold your Awareness on a single target without shifting, wandering, or losing that target in any way. That used to be commonly defined as 'CONCENTRATION' but has been refined.
It is one of the most remarkable skills we can attain as human beings. Attention is the skill of focusing YOURSELF on one thought, subject, or action while ignoring distractions and unrelated thoughts.
It enables you to work more efficiently and save time and energy in completing whatever you need to do with fewer mistakes. It is considered the master art.
Attention According to Psychology: How does attention work in the brain?
The brain has several areas that are responsible for attention, including the prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, and superior colliculus.
These areas work together to filter out irrelevant information and focus on the most important stimuli.
Attention is a complex process that requires the coordination of multiple neural networks in the brain.
Types of Attention: Bottom-up, Top-down, and Sustained Attention.
Attention can be divided into different types, including bottom-up, top-down, and sustained attention. Bottom-up attention is driven by external stimuli, while top-down attention is driven by our goals and expectations. Sustained attention is the ability to maintain focus over an extended period.
- Bottom-up attention: Default, automatic, and involuntary. It is driven by external stimuli, such as sounds, smells, and visual cues. For example, if you hear a loud noise, your attention will automatically be drawn to the source of the sound. Bottom-up attention is critical for detecting and responding to changes in the environment.
- Top-down attention: Conscious, voluntary, and goal-directed. It is driven by our goals, expectations, and prior knowledge. For example, if you are looking for your keys, you will focus your attention on areas where you usually keep them. Top-down attention is essential for problem-solving and decision-making.
- Sustained attention is the ability to maintain focus over an extended period. It is essential for tasks that require prolonged concentration, such as reading, studying, and driving. Sustained attention is a critical component of executive function and is associated with academic and professional success.
Attention & Cognition: How Attention Affects Perception, Memory, and Learning.
Attention is closely linked to cognition, which includes perception, memory, and learning. Attention affects these cognitive processes by influencing which stimuli are processed and remembered. It is essential for these processes to work together effectively.
Perception is the process of interpreting sensory information from the environment. Attention affects perception by influencing which stimuli are processed and remembered. For example, if you are looking for your friend in a crowded room, you will focus your attention on specific visual cues, such as their clothing or hairstyle.
Memory is the ability to encode, store, and retrieve information. Attention affects memory by influencing which information is encoded and retrieved. For example, if you are studying for an exam, you will focus your attention on specific information that is relevant to the exam.
process of acquiring knowledge and skills. Attention affects learning by influencing which information is attended to and processed. For example, if you are learning a new language, you will focus your attention on specific words and phrases that are relevant to the language.
Attention Span: Understanding How Attention Relates to Attention Span.
Attention span is the amount of time a person can sustain focus on a particular task or stimulus. It is influenced by factors such as age, health, and environment. Attention span is essential for learning, memory, and decision-making.
Attention span is closely related to sustained attention, which is the ability to maintain focus over an extended period. Sustained attention is critical for tasks that require prolonged concentration, such as reading, studying, and driving. Attention span can be improved through practice and training.
Factors that can influence attention span include age, health, and environment. As we age, our attention span tends to decrease. Health conditions such as ADHD can also affect attention span. The environment can also impact attention span, such as distractions and noise.
Attention Can Be Improved With the Right Practice Approach.
Improving your attention skill can be compared to going to the gym to strengthen your muscles. You start lifting light weights over time, and you increase the weight value getting stronger. In time what was difficult will become much more manageable. With a greater attention span, you will be able to move in a straight line toward completing any task and disregard irrelevant thoughts. We all should cultivate attention every day in every possible way.
An excellent way to accomplish attention control is to keep the mind steadily upon the work in hand, whether reading, writing, talking, listening, or attending to some simple duty. When it is time to move from one task to another, the mind should disregard the previous job and entirely focus on the present one. We have to focus on the target in all the little things we do until it becomes an ingrained and deep-seated habit.
Taking up some discourse or tasks that we very much prefer not to do and hold full, unwavering attention to the act will give the mind some rigorous work. It is the things that are difficult for us to keep the attention on that offer the most work to those mental muscles. The ability to ignore unwanted thoughts gives you the strength to not be distressed, experiencing more happiness in your life.
When attention control is lacking, the mind becomes restless and tends to be easily distracted, and fears, worries, and disturbing thoughts easily find their way into the mind. However, when attention control is well developed, you can easily refuse to let worries, anxieties, and restless thinking affect your mind, leading to peace of mind. When you focus the mind on one thought, other thoughts cannot disturb the mind, and you enjoy a state of inner peace.
Attentiveness Solves Inattentiveness.
The #1 Key to Improve Your Faculty of Attention? ATTENTION! The ability to focus attention allows us to stay on track when achieving goals and to carry out tasks. It is a skill we need for our daily purposes but often needs strengthening and sharpening. Like going to the gym and lifting weights to strengthen our muscles and gain more flexibility and endurance, we need to use attention itself as our 'mental gym' if we wish to get better at using and managing our power of attention.
The average human attention span is short. According to research studies, our attention span has markedly decreased over the years. The average attention span in 2000 was 12 seconds. Just five years ago, in 2015, it was 8.25 seconds. Now scientists say the average attention span of a goldfish is 9 seconds. Which means our attention span has decreased to lower than a goldfish. Unbelievable!!!
Maybe not so unbelievable when you take into account this modern age of technology. People are overwhelmed with text, tweets, ads, emails, and more. Driving while texting and crossing the street with our heads down, looking at a device has become routine. With our brains hooked on distraction, it’s challenging to pay attention to one thing for very long. This lack of ability to hold our attention in one place expands to every area of our life. Our minds are being tossed about here and there, which means we are not in control. You are not at the helm. You are not the captain of the ship.
If you sit down quietly and examine the mind, you will notice it never stands still. The reason is continuous moving from one thought to another, never standing still in one place. The mind restlessness makes you aware that your attention is not under your control. After improving your attention skill, your concentration ability will improve significantly. You will be able to focus your mind and disregard irrelevant thoughts. You will be better able to complete what you are doing.
Attention Intentionally Used = Attention Span Improved.
Improving your attention skill can be compared to going to the gym to strengthen your muscles. You start lifting light weights over time, and you increase the weight value getting stronger. In time what was difficult will become much more manageable. With a greater attention span, you will be able to move in a straight line toward completing any task and disregard irrelevant thoughts. We all should cultivate attention every day in every possible way.
An excellent way to accomplish attention control is to keep the mind steadily upon the work in hand, whether reading, writing, talking, listening, or attending to some simple duty. When it is time to move from one task to another, the mind should disregard the previous job and entirely focus on the present one. We have to focus on the target in all the little things we do until it becomes an ingrained and deep-seated habit.
Taking up some discourse or tasks that we very much prefer not to do and hold full, unwavering attention to the act will give the mind some rigorous work. It is the things that are difficult for us to keep the attention on that offer the most work to those mental muscles. The ability to ignore unwanted thoughts gives you the strength to not be distressed, experiencing more happiness in your life.
Is Your Attention Focused or Distracted?
Your attention is a critical cognitive function that is essential for personal success. It allows us to focus on relevant information and ignore distractions, enabling us to learn, remember, and make decisions. Attention can be divided into different types, including bottom-up, top-down, and sustained attention. Attention is closely linked to cognition, including perception, memory, and learning. Attention span is the amount of time a person can sustain focus on a particular task or stimulus and can be influenced by factors such as age, health, and environment.
When attention control is lacking, the mind becomes restless and tends to be easily distracted, and fears, worries, and disturbing thoughts easily find their way into the mind. However, when attention control is well developed, you can easily refuse to let worries, anxieties, and restless thinking affect your mind, leading to peace of mind. When you focus the mind on one thought, other thoughts cannot disturb the mind, and you enjoy a state of inner peace.
The ability to hold and direct the attention in one place, to be able to attend to a single target is of profound importance in achieving our goals. After practicing some exercises, your ability to control your attention should improve considerably. You will be able to direct your attention wherever you want and fix it there. You can also focus on what you are doing and prevent your mind from wandering off to other thoughts.
As your ability to focus your attention improves, you will concentrate longer and more in-depth. You will also have the ability to reject unwanted thoughts and ignore distractions. As your awareness grows more substantial, you will ultimately be more efficient, make fewer mistakes, save time and energy, and achieve tremendous success.
To improve your attention and cognitive abilities, you can engage in activities that require sustained attention, such as reading, studying, and playing games that require focus. It is also essential to practice strategically designed mental training tactics that can be taken from forms of mindfulness practices and meditation, which can help improve attention and cognitive function. By understanding the nature of attention, you can improve your cognitive abilities and achieve personal success.
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