Attentional Control of Consciousness: A Review
Introduction
Consciousness can be defined as the state of being aware of one’s environment and oneself. It is not only a subjective experience, but also has an objective component in the form of attentional control. Attentional control is the ability to select, maintain and switch cognitive processes and goals in order to focus on relevant information. This control of consciousness is key to the functioning of the conscious mind and has been studied for decades in cognitive science and neuroscience. In this review, we will explore the various aspects of attentional control of consciousness and its implications for understanding and treating psychological disorders.
Attentional Control of Consciousness
Attentional control of consciousness is a complex process that involves multiple cognitive processes, such as awareness, attention, memory, and decision-making. Awareness is the ability to perceive, recognize, and attend to stimuli in the environment. Attention is the selective focusing of cognitive resources on certain stimuli in the environment in order to process information. Memory is the ability to store and retrieve information. Finally, decision-making is the ability to select from multiple options in order to achieve a desired outcome. All of these cognitive processes are involved in the complex process of attentional control of consciousness.
Theories of Attentional Control of Consciousness
There are several theories of attentional control of consciousness that have been proposed. One of the most prominent is the Attentional Control Theory (ACT) proposed by Jonathon Smallwood and Jonathan W. Schooler in 2004. According to this theory, attentional control of consciousness is the result of two components: the “top-down” control of attentional processes and the “bottom-up” control of reflexive processes. The top-down component is responsible for the selection and maintenance of attentional targets, while the bottom-up component is responsible for the automatic activation of reflexive processes. This theory proposes that when the top-down and bottom-up processes are in balance, consciousness is optimally controlled.
Another theory of attentional control of consciousness is the Attentional Deployment Model (ADM). This theory, proposed by Nilli Lavie in 1995, suggests that attentional control is the result of the interaction between two subsystems: the “executive” and the “automatic”. The executive subsystem is responsible for the selection and maintenance of attentional targets, while the automatic subsystem is responsible for the automatic activation of reflexive processes. According to this theory, when the executive and automatic subsystems are in balance, consciousness is optimally controlled.
Implications of Attentional Control of Consciousness
Attentional control of consciousness has implications for understanding and treating psychological disorders. For example, attentional deficits have been linked to a variety of psychological disorders, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Depression. These attentional deficits can lead to difficulties in selecting, maintaining, and switching cognitive processes and goals, which can disrupt conscious experience and lead to psychological distress.
In addition, attentional control of consciousness has implications for understanding and treating cognitive decline in aging. Aging is associated with a decline in cognitive faculties, such as memory and executive functions. These declines can lead to difficulty in controlling consciousness, which can lead to difficulties in processing information, making decisions, and maintaining attention.
Conclusion
In conclusion, attentional control of consciousness is a complex process that involves multiple cognitive processes. There are several theories of attentional control of consciousness, such as the Attentional Control Theory and the Attentional Deployment Model. Attentional control of consciousness has implications for understanding and treating psychological disorders and cognitive decline in aging.
References
Smallwood, J., & Schooler, J. W. (2004). The Attentional Control Theory: A Theory of Attentional Control in Consciousness. Cognitive Psychology, 47(1), 241-271.
Lavie, N. (1995). The Role of Attention in Cognitive Control: The Attentional Deployment Model. In A. M. Collins (Ed.), Theoretical Issues in Cognitive Psychology, (pp. 331-354). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Lavie, N. (2005). Distracted and Confused?: Selective Attention Underload and Overload. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 9(2), 75-82.
Lerner, Y., & Bergman, H. (2014). Cognitive Decline in Aging: Attentional Control of Consciousness as a Target for Intervention. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 1-11.