Greg Detre
2/3/00
attention
peripheral/central filter
attention can be set to operate at many different levels
� the gain at different levels, depending on how your behaviour is set
Allport � modular organisation of the IP system
each aspect can work independently (with training) but still limited capacity
so highly-skilled activities can be done without interference
some evidence from brain imaging
early: motor cortex (voluntary conscious programming)
late: BG + cerebellum (automatic second nature)
if trying to do two untrained tasks � overlap the attention process
(serial, verbal/language-based process) � can't process two syntax-strings in parallel ≈ the single, central channel
if you want to pay attention to a set (e.g. sharp objects or faces) then turn up the gain
e.g. V1 for an area of visual space
so can pay attention for all sorts of different things
after 1000s of trials: you�re no longer dependent on the �central� verbal attentive channel to direct action/motor control