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Four major conditions of attention which refer to the duration and degree of attention are as follows: 1. Fluctuation of Attention 2. Distraction of Attention 3. Division of Attention 4. Span of Attention/Apprehension.
There are four conditions of attention which refer to the duration and degree of attention.
1. Fluctuation of Attention:
It appears for us that our attention can be concentrated on a particular act for more time. But careful observation clearly shows that we cannot concentrate on a single act or stimulus for more than few seconds.
When we are seeing an object or listening to a sound, after few seconds, the attention will be shifted towards other stimulus or other area of the stimulus for a fraction of time and returns to the original stimulus.
This process is called fluctuation. Here we will be unable to notice this short shrift. This phenomenon can be demonstrated experimentally. In Figure 3.1 on constant observation the figure of the book appears for sometime as partially closed and partially open for some time. Similarly, in the figure of a woman, constant attention leads to perception of the faces of old woman and young lady alternately. Such a temporary shift in attention is called fluctuation of attention.
2. Distraction of Attention:
When our attention is concentrated on a particular act or stimulus, some other more powerful stimulus may draw our attention and holds it to remain there for more time.
It may or may not return to the earlier stimulus. For example, while reading a book, our concentration will be on the book. Meanwhile if we listen to an attractive music sound, our attention may be shifted towards that under such circumstances, physically we may be reading the book, but we may not follow the contents. Students are much affected by distraction. Hence, they should learn to have concentration of mind on studies.
3. Division of Attention:
Attending to more than one act at a time is known as division of attention. In such situations, we will divide our attention towards more than one act. For example, a tailor will be stitching the cloths and also speaking to his customers.
A nurse will be observing the pulse of a patient and also changes on his face. We ride a scooter while speaking to our friends. In such activities the attention is not divided, but it is possible to perform more than one act because, either our attention is shifted from one act to another rapidly, or our attention is concentrated on only one act and the remaining activities are carried on automatically.
Such activities do not need our attention, because these are almost mechanical. But in some technical jobs, attention has to be divided to perform more than one act at a time. However, under such circumstances, the quality and quantity of the task is affected. This can be proved experimentally by using a “Division of attention board”.
4. Span of Attention/Apprehension:
Span refers to the number of letters or digits or sounds that an individual can grasp within a given period of time. Using an instrument called ‘Tachistoscope’, it is experimentally proved that an individual can grasp 4-5 digits or letters easily within a fraction of time.
It is also proved that span will be more for meaningful material like words, than digits or non-sense syllables. It may be observed that digits on number plates of automobile vehicles are restricted to 4 only.