Selective attention in humans: normality and pathology.
Human attention is now studied with a variety of methods, ranging from neuroimaging to behavioural studies of normals and brain-damaged patients. Recent results obtained using these methods converge on several conclusions. First, attention can affect early stages of perception. Second, in low-load conditions, unattended stimuli can be processed to high levels, albeit in a tacit manner. Third, the distribution of attention depends on an interplay between reflexive and voluntary factors. Finally, there are strong attentional links between the sensory modalities, and between perception and action. These links might be exploited to remediate attentional deficits after brain injury.
Driver
J
J
Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, UK.
Mattingley
J B
JB
D000818:Animals; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation