One of those processes that constantly takes place in the human brain, however, regarding the essence of which and the right to independent existence, psychologists still have no consent, is attention. The definition given by proponents of one point of view deprives this concept of any independence. In this case, it is considered by scientists only as an aspect of any other psychological activity of the individual.
Others, however, believe that attention is a fairly independent, specific activity that occurs within the
human mind. It has its own characteristics, which cannot be reduced only to the features of other cognitive processes. Proponents of this opinion also have a scientific justification for their point of view. So, they indicate that in the human brain you can find and highlight the structures associated with just attention. Moreover, from those who are responsible for the work of other
cognitive processes, they are independent both physiologically and anatomically.
Indeed, in the system of phenomena related to psychology, human attention is on a special situation. It is included in almost all the processes taking place, and at the same time it cannot be completely isolated to be studied separately from them. However, there are a number of distinctive features that characterize attention. This is, first of all, the presence in it of such properties that can be measured and observed over them - volume, concentration, switchability. As well as other characteristics that are not directly related to the processes of memory, perception, thinking, sensations.
An attempt to combine existing points of view into one will help solve the problem under discussion. That is, you need to understand that attention is at the same time a facet of the psychological process and something independent, sovereign. This position is also confirmed by recent anatomical and physiological data.
Also interesting is the fact that, despite the huge minute-by-minute flow of information, a person notices and notes far from everything. Attention allocates only a small fraction of the impressions that come from outside and the sensations that arise inside. Only part of them is transformed into images, remembered, and then pondered. That is, attention is a psychological and physiological process. It represents a state that characterizes the specificity of cognitive activity in dynamics. This is expressed in focusing on a small area of reality (external or internal) for a certain period of time. So, attention is the process of selecting one type of information entering the brain through all the senses, and completely ignoring any other. It can be carried out unconsciously, half-consciously and consciously.
Human attention, as already mentioned, is characterized by certain properties. There are only five of them.
1. Sustainability. It manifests itself in the ability to maintain attention for a long time on any object, person, activity, without being distracted by anything and without weakening it.
2. Concentration. This is the degree of focus on one thing while completely ignoring the other.
3. Switchability. It manifests itself in the ability to shift attention from one type of activity, an object to another.
4. Volume. It is measured by the amount of information that an individual is able to simultaneously keep in focus.
5. Distribution. It consists in the ability to disperse attention, that is, to simultaneously perform several actions.