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Effortless Attention: A New Perspective in the Cognitive Science of Attention and Action

Online ISBN:
9780262269438
Print ISBN:
9780262013840
Publisher:
The MIT Press
Book

Effortless Attention: A New Perspective in the Cognitive Science of Attention and Action

Published online:
22 August 2013
Published in print:
9 April 2010
Online ISBN:
9780262269438
Print ISBN:
9780262013840
Publisher:
The MIT Press

Abstract

This book explores the cognitive science of effortless attention and action. Attention and action are generally understood to require effort, and it is expected that under normal circumstances, effort increases to meet rising demand. Sometimes, however, attention and action seem to flow effortlessly despite high demand. Effortless attention and action have been documented across a range of normal activities—ranging from rock climbing to chess playing—and yet fundamental questions about effortlessness have gone largely unasked. This book draws from the field of cognitive psychology, neurophysiology, behavioral psychology, genetics, philosophy, and cross-cultural studies to address those questions. Starting from the premise that the phenomena of effortless attention and action provide an opportunity to test current models of attention and action, researchers—including effort as a cognitive resource—clarify topics such as the role of effort in decision-making, the neurophysiology of effortless attention and action, the role of automaticity in effortless action, expert performance in effortless action, and the neurophysiology and benefits of attentional training.

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