Kinds of attention

The following types of attention are distinguished from the variants of realization and from their origin : arbitrary and involuntary.

The second type is considered the most simple and genetically original. He is also called forced, passive, in connection with the fact that this attention arises and is maintained regardless of the goals that the person faces. In such cases, the activity captures the individual in itself due to its surprise and fascination. In this case, a person involuntarily falls under the influence of influencing phenomena, objects or activities. So, for example, doing something, a person can distract himself by hearing interesting news on the radio.

The formation of involuntary attention is associated with various causes, mental and psychophysiological nature. Experts conditionally divide them into categories.

The quality and nature of the stimulus are attributed to the first group, primarily its intensity and strength. Any strong irritation: a sharp smell, a bright light, a loud sound and others involuntarily attract attention. In this case, a significant role is assigned to a greater degree of relative strength. So, in the afternoon, steps in the corridor may not attract attention, but at night the same steps will make you alert.

In the second category of reasons, external stimuli, corresponding to the internal human condition, and, mainly, to the existing needs, are included. For example, a hungry and well-fed person reacts differently to talk about food.

The third category of causes is related to the general personal orientation. So, passing along one street, the architect pays attention to the beauty of the buildings, and the janitor to the garbage. What a person is interested in, causes certain emotions.

The second kind of attention - arbitrary - arises under the control of a conscious goal. Its formation is closely connected with the human will. This attention has been developed due to labor efforts, in connection with which, it is also called deliberate, active, strong-willed. So, a person decides to engage in any activity. In this regard, he directs his attention to this. At the same time, this is often uninteresting for this particular moment, but this must be done.

Arbitrary attention is involved in regulating the course of mental processes. The reasons that provoke him are not of a biological nature, but of a social nature.

According to some experts, there are not only these types of attention (arbitrary and involuntary). Psychologists distinguish one more, like an arbitrary type. It has a purposeful character, requires strong-willed efforts (initial). However, after a lapse of time, the process of activity, and not only its result, becomes fascinating for a person.

Thus, the above-mentioned types of attention also include "post-operative". It was called NF Dobrynin (Soviet psychologist). Attention and its types have different characteristics.

Features of the connection of consciousness with a particular object, concentration on it and determine the properties of attention. Psychology distinguishes such features as concentration, volume, stability, distribution, switching.

Stability characterizes the types of attention to the duration of concentration on the same object.

Concentration refers to the intensity (degree) of concentration.

Distribution is the subjectively experienced ability of the individual to retain in the center of conscious communication a specific number of dissimilar objects at the same time.

The shifting of concentration is expressed in a meaningful and conscious movement of it from one object to another.

The amount of attention is expressed in the limited ability to simultaneously perceive several objects that are independent of each other.