Types of attention in psychology and their social functions

The problem of attention has always been the focus of many psychological concepts and teachings. For example, Pavlov, analyzing the types of attention in psychology, linked his functioning with brain processes and practically reduced his understanding to the level of an unconditioned reflex. Such an interpretation claimed the ability of a person to concentrate all his mental activity on one object, which, due to the influence of various factors, is at the center of this concentration.

The founder of another school, Ukhtomsky, argued that attention in any cases of its manifestation is always determined, first of all, by the properties of the object itself, on which it concentrates. Moreover, it may not even be an entire subject, but only some of its aspects that dominate the other properties and predispose to appeal to oneself. As an active "accomplice" in the process of concentration of attention , the social significance for a particular person of the side of the subject that attracts his attention appears.

However, whatever we consider the theories analyzing the types of attention in psychology, we must admit that in many respects all of them are characterized by approximately the same selection of its characteristics.

Analyzing the types of attention in psychology, as its universal properties are called the level of concentration and stability. Also, among the main, psychologists include such properties of attention as selectivity, distribution, switchability.

Now the types of attention in psychology are considered and classified according to the following reasons:

In the form of activity, the types of attention are classified into sensory-perceptual, intellectual and motor.

The dominant analyzer distinguishes such types of attention as visual, auditory, taste, olfactory and others. This classification is very important in terms of professional self-determination rights.

In terms of direction in modern science, external attention is allocated (it is oriented, first of all, to the surrounding world), internal (analyzes internal sensations and feelings) and borderline (tactile).

There is also a classification according to the degree of volitional control. Here we consider such types as arbitrary and post-individual. The first is by nature active, such attention must be initialized and caused by strong-willed efforts. The second arises spontaneously, because it is initiated by external stimuli. The postoperative form is of an unstable nature, within its framework, attention disorders are most noticeable.

Attention not only provides a reflection of the focus and degree of concentration of consciousness on any phenomena, facts, events. Attention contributes to the formation of a clear reflection, and consequently, reflection of the objective reality. This is the function of attention in psychology, sociology, philosophy and other sciences that help shape the social world of a person. Among the most significant are such functions as:

- filtering information coming to a person based on his needs;

- ensuring selectivity and sustainability of attention on a socially significant site;

- activation of the necessary mental processes, relevant at the moment, with parallel inhibition of those that are not needed.

The fulfillment of these functions is a necessary condition for the harmonious socialization of the individual and the guarantor of its successful entry into the society. This role is the highest in cognitive activity, where memory serves, for example, both as a basis for generating innovation, and as a landmark in the creation of a new, unique, something that no one has ever created anywhere.