Distracting Events Research Articles

Human attention: the exclusion of distracting information as a function of real and apparent separation of relevant and irrelevant events

A leading theory suggests that human vision operates by separate and parallel analysis of each of the simple features of the visual scene; but computation of the identity of objects, which needs combination of these features, is undertaken selectively and only for some parts of the incoming information. It is known that the identity of distracting events affects reaction time only for distractors spatially close to the reaction signal. This suggests that the selection is spatially based; perhaps taking place in the projection areas. Experiments on this topic have, however, normally considered events only at a fixed viewing distance; in this study different viewing distances were employed. It was found that, over the range of conditions used, the ability to exclude irrelevant distractors depended upon the true physical separation and not on the angular separation at the eye of the observer. Hence the 'attention' system must operate at a point later than the computation of true physical location, rather than at the very early stage where angular separation only is available.

Classroom behaviors related to academic gains in a group of low achieving children.

The relationship between behavior and academic achievement was examined in a group of 26 first grade, low achieving children. Results indicated that less successful children are less able to ignore potentially distracting events; that they are more effected by peer-produced stimuli and by unusual events; and that once detaached from task, they have more difficulty in returning to it. The findings support the view that more successful and less successful low achieving children differ in the extent to which they are dependent upon external conditions to maintain attention to task.

Some observed differences in degree of concentration and their effects on shadowing.

Three shadowing experiments investigated the hypothesis that difficulties in concentration are caused by internal factors as well as by the novelty, intensity or salience of background events. On the last trial of each experiment, a background message, which subjects had been instructed to ignore, changed unexpectedly. Most subjects noticed these changes and were disrupted by them (Experiments 1, 2 and 3). A smaller number of “concentrators” reported that they were unaware the changes had taken place. These concentrators were less disrupted by the background message than the non-concentrators both on the last trial and on earlier dichotic trials (Experiments 1 and 3). However, even concentrators were momentarily disrupted by the background changes (Experiment 3). Increased attended task difficulty increases the likelihood that subjects will fail to notice the changes (Experiment 2). The results support the view that good concentration consists in the ability to keep distracting events from consciousness.

Viscoelastic Behavior of Tissue in Leg Lengthening by Distraction

The leg lengthening distraction procedure was analyzed with objectives of understanding complications which arise due to overstretching, establishing guidelines to the optimum distraction rates and the frequency of distraction, and, determining the final amount of leg lengthening. An electronic recording system was devised to provide continuous monitoring of the tractive load resulting from distraction of the leg during the elongation procedure. The mechanical behavior patterns of the involved stretched tissues domonstrate time-dependent viscoelastic effects during distraction. During a leg lenthening procedure it is desirable to establish, if possible, a regular pattern of distraction early in the process. If it is necessary in the course of treatment to reduce the distraction rate for clinical reasons, then it is preferable to keep the same number of distraction events but reduce the distraction amount. Distract at equally spaced time intervals to obtain repetitive load cycles and thereby reduce peak values of load and maintain similar stress relaxation patterns for each instantaneous load increase. The total amount of lengthening depends on the characteristics of each individual leg length discrepancy and the physical properties of each distracted tissue.

Transforms to enhance correlation of mechanical well logs

Mathematical correlation of geologic sections from mechanical well logs depends on comparison of frequency components derived from the recorded amplitude variations of the well logs as they respond to changes in lithology. Techniques have been developed that compensate for changes in thickness of units within lithologic sequences and for moderate numbers of missing and truncated beds. However, accurate correlation depends on time stratigraphic units being composed of relatively consistent sequences of rock lithologic units. Correlation is uncertain in areas where time stratigraphic sequences exhibit considerable facies variation. Visual correlation experiences similar problems but the human eye can sort out facies changes more easily and may be better than mechanical correlation in problem areas. Both mechanical and visual correlation can be enhanced by the application of relatively simple transforms to the basic log data. They are applied by computer to digital logs and are designed to magnify specific diagnostics of the more continuous beds while subduing distracting events and noise. Both mechanical and visual correlation are improved by the use of transformed logs; moreover, the digital logs permit optically pleasing displays that maintain the overall advantage of trained geologists over mechanical intervention.

Autokinesis and attention distribution: rejoinder to Starker.

On the basis of two studies, one published in this issue (4 ) and the other unpublished, Starker expresses doubt as to the validity of our beliefs regarding the part attention plays in the propensity for experiencing autokinesis, and the relationship of autokinesis to some aspects of personality organization. In his unpublished study it appears that he used questionnaire data as a measure of S's personality qualities. Since such data are highly subjective (people tend not to see themselves as others see them), it does not surprise me that he could not duplicate our findings. There are difficulties with the present study which require comment. There appears to be a misunderstanding of our theoretical model and there are some methodological weaknesses. Starker believes he has gotten his Ss to withdraw attention from the light and direct it inwardly. If S is really thinking about something else-unrelated to the light-it is probable that autokinesis might cease or be reduced, not increased as he predicted (his Group A ) . Paying closer attention to the light, thus taking attention away from the spatial frame of reference should increase autokinesis, not decrease it as Starker predicted (his Group C) . He has omitted any reference to the frame of references in his design. Asking Ss continuously to generate phantasies about the light would be a better test of our theoretical model (3 ) than having them think about something unrelated to the light. The test conditions for Group C are a good test of our model provided S does not also concentrate (unknowingly) on the test room (frame of reference) as he concentrates on the test light. Combining Condition C with a condition wherein S is asked to produce phantasies about the light would best test our model. Starker correctly notes the possible difficulty inherent in his condition of internal rehearsal. His idea that distracting auditory stimuli should reduce autokinesis is consistent with our theoretical model. He must be certain that Ss pay attention to the distracting stimuli throughout the test period. We have observed that high movers may remain oblivious to very loud noises outside the test room apparently because of the degree to which they are absorbed by test experience. I suggest using moderate movers in the experimental and control groups. For very high movers the autokinetic effect is powerful, and such persons also have a remarkable ability to ignore distractions. Very low movers are in reality no movers most of the test period and unless the distracting stimulus is continuous, the distracting event may not coincide with the experience of autokinesis. Starker's use of a difference score as the dependent variable (change), makes it difficult to guess what the results would have been had a more appropriate score (or analysis) been used ( 2 ) . Regression effects make a difference score questionable as a measure of change and are particularly likely to occur in groups selected for their extremity as in this experiment ( 1 ). In addition, when Ss cannot be randomly assigned to the (High-Low AK)-(Experimental Condition) treatment combinations, a split-plot analysis is more appropriate than a factorial design.

Heart rate and skin conductance responding during three attention-direction tasks under distraction conditions

This study investigated the possibility that a failure to find cardiac acceleration to an environmental rejection task in a previous study was due to insufficient distraction in the experimental situation. The study was replicated, with distracting events added. An environmental intake task was associated with heart-rate deceleration during the first 60 sec. The rejection task and a third task involving attention to bodily events were not associated with significant heart-rate change. There were no differences in skin-conductance responding to the three tasks.