Attention

This book explores the evolution of attention research from the early days of psychology to the late 1960s, summarizing key findings, methodologies, and theories in vision and hearing.

Attention explores the evolution of research on attention in modern experimental psychology, tracing its roots back to the pioneering work of Wundt, Titchener, and Helmholtz. Initially, attention was a focal point of inquiry, but interest waned from the 1920s to the 1950s, largely due to the rise of behaviorism, which viewed attention as a questionable, 'mentalistic' concept. However, by the time this book was published in 1969, significant strides had been made in quantifying and objectively studying attention, which had become increasingly relevant in a world characterized by complex communication systems and 'man-machine' interactions.

The book highlights the resurgence of attention research following the publication of Broadbent's Perception and Communication in 1958. It serves as a comprehensive overview of the behavioral studies related to vision and hearing, shedding light on how individuals share and direct their attention. The author addresses the limitations of attention and offers methodological recommendations for future research, while also reviewing the prevailing theories of the time.

While the focus remains on attention, the author intentionally omits extensive discussion on memory, allowing for a concentrated examination of the topic. The book concludes with a bibliography that catalogs significant works up to the spring of 1969, providing readers with a valuable resource for further exploration into the field of attention research. Overall, Attention serves as an important contribution to understanding the complexities of how humans process information in an increasingly demanding environment.