Attention is the activity of consciousness

One of the processes that constantly occurs in the human brain, however, regarding the essence of which and the right to independent existence is still not in the minds of psychologists, is attention. The definition, given by supporters 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 believe that attention is a sufficiently independent, specific activity that occurs within the mind of a person. It has its own characteristics, which can not be reduced only to the peculiarities of other cognitive processes. Supporters of this opinion have a scientific basis for their point of view. So, they indicate that in the human brain it is possible to find and identify structures that are associated with attention. Moreover, from those who are responsible for the work of other cognitive processes, they are independent both physiologically and anatomically.

And it is true, in the system of phenomena relating to psychology, the attention of a person to a special situation. It is included in almost all the processes that occur, and at the same time it can not be completely isolated to study separately from them. However, there are a number of distinctive features that characterize attention. This, first of all, the presence in it of such properties that can be measured and monitored - volume, concentration, switchability. And also other characteristics that are not directly related to the processes of memory, perception, thinking, sensations.

To solve the discussed problem will help to unite in one existing point of view. That is, it is necessary to understand that attention is at the same time a certain facet of the psychological process and something independent, sovereign. This position is confirmed by the latest anatomical and physiological data.

It is also interesting that, despite a huge minute-long flow of information, a person notices and notes not all. Attention highlights only a small part of the impressions coming from outside and the sensations arising within. Only some of them are transformed into images, remembered, and then pondered. That is, attention is a process both psychological and physiological. It represents a state that characterizes the specificity of cognitive activity in dynamics. This is expressed in the focus on a small area of reality (external or internal) for some time period. So, attention is the process of selecting information of one type that enters the brain through all the senses and completely ignores any other. It can be carried out unconsciously, semi-consciously and consciously.

The attention of a person, as already mentioned, is characterized by certain properties. There are only five of them.

1. Stability. It manifests itself in the ability for a long time to keep an eye on any object, person, activity, without distracting to anything and not weakening it.

2. Concentration. This is the degree of concentration of attention on one thing while completely ignoring the other.

3. Switchability. It manifests itself in the ability to translate 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 store in the sphere of attention.

5. Distribution. It lies in the ability to disperse attention, that is, in parallel to perform several actions.