The development of selective attention: a life-span overview.
This paper outlines research on selective attention within a life-span developmental framework. Findings obtained in both the infancy-child and adulthood-aging literatures are reviewed and discussed in relationship to four aspects of selective attention: orienting, filtering, search, and expecting. Developmental consistencies and inconsistencies are identified and integrative theories are evaluated. Although a single theory is unlikely to accommodate the diverse patterns of age effects, emergent themes are identifiable nonetheless and the essential ingredients of a life-span theory of attentional development are enumerated. Directions for future research and theory are suggested.
Dept. of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park 20742-4411.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention; D001307:Auditory Perception; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D005133:Eye Movements; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014796:Visual Perception