2.1 Practice Questions
1. According to one theory of selective attention, people analyse environmental stimuli at
a lower level, which then come to our consciousness if they have target characteristics
or personal relevance. Which theory is described here?
a. Broadbent’s model
b. Selective filter model (Moray)
c. Attenuation model (Treisman)
d. Late-filter model (Deutsch & Deutsch)
2. In the article examining the beneficial effect of concurrent task-irrelevant mental activity
on attention, the free association group and music group performed better than the
standard and reward groups. Which of the following was NOT a possible explanation for
these findings?
a. Higher motivation improved attentional processes
b. Changes in arousal levels influenced the magnitude of the attentional blink
c. Positive affect improved task performance
d. They performed better because of a lengthened attentional span
3. Mary faces some issues with remembering long lists of items. Which of the following
advice would you NOT give her to improve her working memory span?
a. Group as many items together as possible
b. Make a catchy rhyme out of the similar sounding ones
c. Try to reconceptualise the category each item on the list belongs to
d. Mentally rehearse some items and visually memorise others
1. According to one theory of selective attention, people analyse environmental stimuli at
a lower level, which then come to our consciousness if they have target characteristics
or personal relevance. Which theory is described here?
a. Broadbent’s model
b. Selective filter model (Moray)
c. Attenuation model (Treisman)
d. Late-filter model (Deutsch & Deutsch)
2. In the article examining the beneficial effect of concurrent task-irrelevant mental activity
on attention, the free association group and music group performed better than the
standard and reward groups. Which of the following was NOT a possible explanation for
these findings?
a. Higher motivation improved attentional processes
b. Changes in arousal levels influenced the magnitude of the attentional blink
c. Positive affect improved task performance
d. They performed better because of a lengthened attentional span
3. Mary faces some issues with remembering long lists of items. Which of the following
advice would you NOT give her to improve her working memory span?
a. Group as many items together as possible
b. Make a catchy rhyme out of the similar sounding ones
c. Try to reconceptualise the category each item on the list belongs to
d. Mentally rehearse some items and visually memorise others
