attention tutorial by https://padlet.com/ps222fs1/rkfyxxlccwfhrft3 en-us 2022-11-25 12:05:07 UTC 2025-11-08 21:52:35 UTC hello@padlet.com Divided attention ps222fs1 https://padlet.com/ps222fs1/rkfyxxlccwfhrft3/wish/2397913942 Being able to focus on more than one task at once]]> 2022-11-25 12:07:47 UTC https://padlet.com/ps222fs1/rkfyxxlccwfhrft3/wish/2397913942 Factors that influence divided attention ps22l2s1 https://padlet.com/ps222fs1/rkfyxxlccwfhrft3/wish/2397917047 - practice (increase in practice leads to automaticity) 
- task difficulty (task difficulty reduces automaticity)
- task similarity (ability compromised when tasks require the same modality as we have limited cognitive resources). 

Extra research: 
(McDowd, 1986)
-Examined the effects of repeated practice on the divided attention performance of young and old adults
-Six young and 6 older adults performed two perceptual-motor tasks under both single- and dual-task conditions across six 1-hr sessions
-Performance improved reliably over sessions for both young and old participants, but divided attention performance remained poorer in old than in young adults
-Performance increased in both conditions for young adults showing practice improves performance when using divided attention
-Older adults did not improve in the dual task condition despite practice



]]> 2022-11-25 12:11:17 UTC https://padlet.com/ps222fs1/rkfyxxlccwfhrft3/wish/2397917047 Talking and texting findings ps22l2s1 https://padlet.com/ps222fs1/rkfyxxlccwfhrft3/wish/2397938171 Talking and texting while driving both impede on driving ability, and both present issues in the context of driving, however both affect driving ability in different ways, due to the use of separate processing resources. A phone call uses auditory processing resources, which diminishes a drivers ability to listen to hazards on the road, such as animals, or children. Texting while driving uses manual resources, which interrupts a drivers ability to control the vehicle, leading to higher breaking times and increased swerving in the road. Furthermore, texting uses visual perceptive resources, as drivers have to interpret incoming texts and proofread outgoing messages.

Extra Research: Thapa et al (2014)

The study used 36 participants (6 females and 30 males, average age 28) all in good health with normal visual acuity, with a valid drivers license and actively drove. Participants disclosed having used their phone and drove before

Participants were asked to drive normally, however only stay in the right lane (American study so inverted nature of driving), and asked to keep a following distance that they deemed safe. 3 experimental conditions were created, which differed in terms of the amount of texts exchanged, and the length of time spent speaking on a phone call, both increasing from conditions A-C. Average drive in each condition was 20 minutes, so participants drove for a total of an hour. 

Participants were measured on mean speed throughout sections of the drive and deviation of lane position. Results showed that the mean speed of the drive decreased in the distracted condition (texting or speaking on the phone), following the findings of previous research, however the standard deviation of road position increased, implying phone use while driving results in larger lane position variability, possibly due to reduced manual control of the vehicle.

General conclusion was that while texting and driving both negatively impacted driving ability, texting was worse than driving while speaking on the phone.


]]> 2022-11-25 12:36:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ps222fs1/rkfyxxlccwfhrft3/wish/2397938171 Hand-held vs. hands free findings ps22l2s1 https://padlet.com/ps222fs1/rkfyxxlccwfhrft3/wish/2397943693 Strayer and Johnstone (2001)
Study on attention and phone usage. 
Findings: the use of phones, whether hand held or 'hands free', reduced the drivers ability to detect stimulated traffic signals alongside with increased reaction times to the observed signals. 

- Phone conversations engage in 'dual-task pairings' - needing auditory and verbal attention. This means that cognitive attention is drawn away from driving resources and as a consequence, performance is reduced.

- As a result of this, both 'hands free' and hand held conversations reduce the driving performance. The 'dual-task' (e.g. phone conversation) is engaged in both conditions, creating statistically significant driving effects.  

Further research:
Nunes and Recate (2000) 
Demonstrated the role of 'hands free' conversations while driving. 
Participants were given seven tasks, that focused on the cognitive component of 'hands free' phone conversations. Overall, a significant effect was found during complex conversations - suggesting that another factor that must be considered is the intensity and subject-matter of the conversation. ]]> 2022-11-25 12:43:08 UTC https://padlet.com/ps222fs1/rkfyxxlccwfhrft3/wish/2397943693 How are conversations with a person in a vehicle different? ps22l2s1 https://padlet.com/ps222fs1/rkfyxxlccwfhrft3/wish/2397944877 Having a conversation with someone who is present in the car is different than when talking to someone on the phone because of a few reasons:
-the traffic & road conditions become a source of conversation which allows us to concentrate more as both the driver & passenger show situational awareness 
-the complexity of the conversation is determined by the driving conditions with the passenger showing awareness of any potential distractions or hazards that may appear
However, having a passenger that is too involved in the driving process can have a negative affect on the driver as they may become stressed or feel pressured. It may also create annoyance or frustration which uses some of your cognitive performance therefore it may negatively affect the drivers capabilities.
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