selective attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "selective attention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to psychology, cognitive science, or discussions about focus and perception. Example: "In a crowded room, her selective attention allowed her to focus on the conversation with her friend while ignoring the background noise."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

SD impairs selective attention as evidenced by reduced selectivity in PPA activation.

Plosone

"And they often have selective attention, listening only to bad facts, or remember things incorrectly.

The New York Times

One reason for this selective attention is that Isis is now a global problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

Selective attention is where you can ignore competing stimuli, and poor scores can mean you are easily distractible.

The Guardian

Selective attention exercises accounted for 10.2% of the total time.

Annals of Intensive Care

Participants then performed an experimental task that required selective attention.

Fashion and Textiles

Parts 1 and 2 assess selective attention, and part 3 assesses selective attention with some demand for shifting.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

This is consistent with the motivated selective attention hypothesis.

Journal of Business Research

MT tended to reduce selective attention and to improve discrimination.

Neuroscience Letters

It included three subtests, assessing processing speed, divided attention, and selective attention.

European Transport Research Review

This means that individuals with better selective attention results suggested that testing should recur more often.

European Transport Research Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing cognitive processes, use "selective attention" to precisely describe the ability to focus on relevant stimuli while ignoring distractions. This term is commonly used in psychology, neuroscience, and related fields.

Common error

Avoid using "selective attention" interchangeably with general terms like "focus" or "concentration". "Selective attention" specifically refers to the cognitive process of filtering out distractions, not just the act of concentrating.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "selective attention" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a cognitive process. Ludwig provides examples of its use in scientific research and general discussions about focus and perception.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Selective attention is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that describes the cognitive process of focusing on relevant information while filtering out distractions. As supported by Ludwig's analysis, this term is frequently used in scientific and academic contexts, as well as in news and media when discussing psychological topics. Related phrases include "focused attention" and "attentional focus", although "selective attention" specifically emphasizes the filtering aspect. It's important to avoid confusing it with general terms like "focus". Overall, the phrase is well-established and widely understood in both scientific and general discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focused attention

Emphasizes the concentration aspect of attention, rather than the filtering of distractions.

attentional focus

Highlights the act of directing attention to a specific target.

concentrated attention

Stresses the intensity and depth of attention being applied.

sustained attention

Focuses on the duration of attention maintained on a specific task or stimulus.

attentional selectivity

A more technical term emphasizing the discriminatory aspect of attention.

cognitive filtering

Highlights the brain's role in filtering out irrelevant information.

directed attention

Emphasizes the intentional aspect of directing one's focus.

strategic attention

Implies a conscious decision-making process in allocating attention.

prioritized attention

Highlights that attention is given based on priority.

vigilant attention

Suggests a state of readiness and alertness to specific stimuli.

FAQs

How is "selective attention" typically assessed?

Tests like the Stroop test and cancellation paradigms are commonly used to measure "selective attention". These tests evaluate the ability to focus on specific stimuli while ignoring distractions.

What factors can influence "selective attention"?

Factors such as stress, sleep deprivation, and certain neurological conditions can impair "selective attention". Training and mindfulness practices may improve it.

What are some synonyms for "selective attention"?

While there aren't perfect synonyms, you can use alternatives like "focused attention", "attentional focus", or "concentrated attention" depending on the specific context.

How does "selective attention" differ from sustained attention?

"Selective attention" refers to the ability to focus on relevant stimuli while ignoring distractions, whereas "sustained attention" refers to the ability to maintain focus over a prolonged period. They are related but distinct cognitive processes.