Attentional strategy is a psychological concept that refers to how individuals focus their attention in order to achieve a certain task or goal. Attentional strategies are important in many areas of life, including learning, decision-making, and problem-solving. This article provides an overview of attentional strategy, including its components, the role of motivation, and how it can be used to enhance performance.
Attentional strategy is based on the idea that individuals can control their attention and direct it to achieve a desired outcome. This can involve focusing on certain features of a task or environment, or ignoring other irrelevant features. Attentional strategies can be divided into two main components: selection and control. Selection refers to the process of choosing which aspects of a task or situation to focus on, while control refers to the ability to maintain the focus on those aspects.
Motivation is also an important factor in attentional strategy. Individuals are more likely to use effective attentional strategies if they are motivated to achieve a goal or task. Additionally, motivation can help to maintain focus on relevant features of a task or situation.
Attentional strategies can be used to enhance performance in a variety of tasks. For example, in the classroom, students can use attentional strategies to improve their understanding of course material and to better retain information. In the workplace, attentional strategies can help workers focus on relevant factors in decision-making and problem-solving.
In conclusion, attentional strategy is an important concept in psychology. It involves the ability to focus attention and direct it towards achieving a desired outcome. Attentional strategies can be used to improve performance in a variety of tasks and to help individuals achieve their goals.
References
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Engel de Abreu, P. M., & DeCaro, M. S. (2008). Motivation and attentional strategies: An integrative approach. Educational Psychology Review, 20(3), 201–222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-008-9063-x
McVay, J. C., & Kane, M. J. (2012). Why does working memory capacity predict variation in reading comprehension? On the influence of mind wandering and executive attention. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 141(2), 302–320. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025250