No Consensus on what Paying Attention Really Means
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Most experts seem to agree that lack of focus is a real problem only if or when
this significantly interferes with our daily life. Moreover.... "Although we have an intuitive understanding of what it means to 'pay attention' to an object or event, the study of attention has a long and checkered history in cognitive psychology, filled with debate and disagreement." "Some have suggested that 'everyone knows what attention is'; others have countered that 'no one knows what attention is'....." http://www-psych.stanford.edu/~ashas/Cognition%20Textbook/chapter3.pdf Perhaps most signficantly to younger generations subjected to drug stimulants these days by parents concerned with focusing issues: "Over the last couple of decades many adults have misunderstood the idea of focus..." "As usual, western medicine recognizes - or even creates -- the symptoms, but the causes and preventive action seem beyond their grasp...." Dr. Kevin Ross Emery, 9/27/2010 http://www.opposingviews.com/i/the-focus-myth-add-and-adhd About Dr. Kevin Ross Emery: http://www.mydrkevin.com/about-dr-kevin Just for fun, here are a few quick interactive tests for focus: "The original, world-famous awareness test from Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo&feature=player_detailpage "How do we improve our ability to focus and maintain attention -- no matter what? The first step is to find out your concentration IQ." (Now, be sure to answer honestly.) http://altmedicine.about.com/library/weekly/bl_quiz_concentrate.htm Test distraction filtering.... Source: Eyal Ophir and Clifford Nass, Stanford University Published: June 6, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/07/technology/20100607-distraction-filtering-demo.html "This concentration test will assess how well you are able to focus on a task and whether you have a well-developed repertoire of strategies to apply yourself when you really need to." http://www.queendom.com/tests/access_page/index.htm?idRegTest=685 "How long can you focus on a task without getting distracted?" 10 questions, 5 minutes https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/tests/personality/attention-span-test How long we concentrate on doing a mundane task indicates focusing strength -- and increases this strength: How to Train Your Focus Muscles June, 2013 http://waystofocus.com/how-to-train-your-focus-muscles/ What does not work: 'Multitasking' “ 'Do not multitask frequently. If you do, you will hurt your thinking, even when you are not multitasking,' advises Professor Dr Clifford I Nass, one of the researchers of the Stanford study in an exclusive interview." "Stop multi-tasking; it's a brain, not an octopus", February 10, 2012 http://www.firstpost.com/living/stop-multitasking-its-a-brain-not-an-octopus-209143.html Our handwriting might also be a focus-strength indicator. “People with small handwriting are very focused individuals." "They are able to shut out the world and can concentrate very well. Have you ever tried writing very small? If no, give it shot. Try writing very very small. You will know it’s not easy to write that way unless it is your normal style, and you will have to be extremely focused....” http://www.writechoice.co.in/writechoice/index.php/2011/07/is-your-handwriting-small- know-what-tiny-letters-say-about-your-personality/ |
