Selective Attention and Cognitive Learning. Theoretical Paper No. 45.

The relationship between selective attention and learning is investigated in this paper. It is proposed that two forms of attention exist: (1) inspectional attention, which is a simple matching pocess where perceived stimuli are compared with an internal model of the stimulus for which the individual is searching, and (2) comprehensional attention, which combines the inspectional process with more complex cognitive operations. The stimuli which are searched for and recognized with comprehensional attention must be simultaneously processed with these cognitive operations. It is shown that this added complexity of comprehensional attention has physiological correlates which are qualitatively different from the corresponding concomitants of inspectional attention. The functions of selected attention in learning are also examined. Emphasis is placed on the role of attention in developmental changes that usually occur in the 5-7 year age range. Transposition, reversal shift, and conservation learning processes are also considered. The function of attention in these learning processes is related to blocking effects and surprise. Stimulus novelty and complexity are shown to arouse comprehensional attention, thereby facilitating learning. (Author/WR)