Abstract
This paper discusses attention and defines it as a task-oriented focus maintained to achieve specific goals that tends to be enhanced through developing strategies that enhance focus. The paper explores one strategy that appears to be successful in this area, which utilizes variables that address various levels of perception. It explains that however, not every individual has the same response to a given stimulus, nor is there a universal strategy that can be applied to enhance perception and hold attention for all members of a given team. The author also addresses these issues in a brief exploration of what makes a successful team environment.

From the Paper
"Attention, specifically a task-oriented focus maintained to achieve specific goals, tends to be enhanced through developing strategies that enhance focus. One strategy that appears to be successful in this area is that of utilizing variables that address various levels of perception. However, not every individual has the same response to a given stimulus, nor is there a universal strategy that can be applied to enhance perception and hold attention for all members of a given team (Strange & Banning, 2000). The creation of an environment that aids the attention and the perceptive processes of each member will need to identify the unique attributes and characteristics of the team as a whole. Personally, my threshold for auditory stimuli is quite low; I have an acute sense of hearing with a very wide range. I have always attributed this to the fact that I have asthma, as persons with asthma ..."

Tags:perception, attention, learning

Abstract
This paper examines attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, asserting that a significant cause of the condition is exposure to toxins and neurotoxins. The paper includes 15 references including 5 books, 5 journal articles, and 5 web sites, as well as incorporating 5 interviews with mothers and their ADHD children.

From the Paper
"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a persistent pattern of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and more severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development. Since the disease is not one that can be diagnosed definitively by a blood test or other simple means, it is one that demands that the patient be evaluated in terms of the symptoms and behaviors that are manifested. Although there are some factors that alert..."

Tags:ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, neurotoxins, lead, mercury, PCB, thimerosal, fluoride

Abstract
This paper explores the concept of joint attention as seen in infancy. The author uses the example of his dog to state the problem. The paper continues by showing how this applies to infants as well.

From the Paper
"I used to have an extremely intelligent dog. Yet I noticed that if I threw a ball for him, and he could not find it, it did not help to point in the direction that the ball had gone. All that happened was that the dog would look at my hand. I found this frustratingly stupid in an otherwise intelligent dog. No matter how hard I tried, the dog could never grasp the apparently simple significance of a pointing finger. Later, I noticed that very young children have no problem with this at all. This led me to wonder why it is that something so simple for humans is so incomprehensible for even intelligent animals. Moreover, could it be that..."

Tags:pointing, joint, attention

Abstract
This paper looks at eye movements and visual attention, discussing what is known about the topic and current research in the area.

Tags:eye movements, visual attention

Abstract
The paper explores attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by considering its history, symptoms, and the way in which children are assessed. The paper then devotes time to discussing the cognitive ablilities of children with ADHD, including memory skills, and concludes with a brief discussion on future issues facing children with the disorder.

Outline:
Introduction
Historical Overview
"The Story of Fidigty Philip"
Assessment of Children with ADHD
Cognitive Abilities of Children with ADHD
ADHD Children and Memory
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Although ADHD was not discovered by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman, a physican who published a number of books pertaining to psychiatry and medicine, his book "The Story of Fidigty Philip" (1863) clearly portrays a child with ADHD. Nevertheless, it was not until 1902 that Sir George F. Still described a condition which he entitled "Morbid Defect of Moral Control," and which he ascribed to a genetic disorder rather than that of poor parenting. His work described a group of children with significant behavioral problems, including high levels of hyperactivity and impulsiveness, thus referring to what is now termed ADHD."

Tags:impulsiveness, memory, cognition, attention, span, frustration, self-esteem, Ritalin

Abstract
This paper discusses how studies regarding the components of attention and perception have long been considered essential in understanding the human brain; parallel studies in other scientific fields have increased its consequence by identifying it as important factors in human evolution and development. In particular, the paper examines how understanding selective attention in the process of visual perception requires the recognition of the different attention mechanisms that are involved in the identification of a stimulus versus those that are involved after the process of perception. The paper also looks at how modern cognitive neuroscience experts in particular are emphasizing the need to further understand the components of selective visual attention to an attentional spotlight considering neuroanatomy and timing.

From the Paper
"According to Chris Chatam (2006), "The spotlight metaphor of attention accords with our subjective experience: as we move throughout our environment, we can feel our attention "focus" on particular objects, much like an adjustable flashlight might." Thus, attention functions as a means of resolution of perception ambiguities that occur in the process of neural coding of how multiple objects are being perceived. This has been observed when attention was measured via electrophysiological instruments (LaBerge et al, 1997). Walther and his associates' (2005) studies point out that the process of visual searching includes both the process of spatially selective attention to the target and at the same time specific attention modulation to the visual area through retinotopic organization V1 ahs not been deterministic. "

Tags:cognitive, neuroscience, visual, perception

Abstract
This paper describes some of the main theories of selective attention as well as how the selective attention process affects consumers. The paper relates this to advertising, marketing and psychology.

From the Paper
"Selective attention has been the focus of several different theories, which have developed over the years with better understanding of the process and of consumers. Anne Treisman describes selective attention as 'the basic features of interest that consumers respond to' (Attention and Effort), in order to obtain information. A feature is a specific characteristic on a dimension that people analyse during the process of perception. Treisman suggests that 'objects have elementary features that we attend to immediately and automatically' . She believes that the features combine to create an impression of a distinctive object. "

Tags:tresiman, Marketing, Psychology, Broadbent, advertising, billboards

Abstract
There exist specific techniques that can be used in the classroom to develop attention and memory. This paper shows how valuable information and concepts can be memorized by students using a variety of techniques, such as music, repetitiveness, and visual aids. This paper also shows that there are several techniques a teacher can use to motivate students to capture their attention. These include working from students' strengths and interests, making the students active participants in learning, and varying teaching methods.

From the Paper
"An additional technique that teachers may utilize to promote memorization is repetitiveness. Many of us may recall the use of flash cards in school when we were younger. The teacher would show us a card with a sight word on it, and then show it again, and yet again. At such a ripe age it was quite possible that we were not able to comprehend the importance of this repetitiveness; however with enough practice we were able to commit those sight words to memory. "Early introduction of Dolch Sight Words, preferably in kindergarten during the regular academic year, with systematic daily practice and reinforcement provided throughout kindergarten and first grade, will lead to early reading success and preclude much of the need for remediation in later grades," (picturemereading.com)."

Tags:visual, aids, music, IQ

Abstract
This paper examines the myths and the true facts about the Attention attention deficit disorder. The author provides an overview of the causes for and the symptoms of the disorder. Then, he introduces behavioral and drug therapies available to patients today.

From the Paper
"Before we turn to a discussion of the ways in which ADD may be treated we must first define what exactly we mean by this term, which is used by the lay public to refer to a wide range of behaviors. The condition that is now referred to as ADD (and which is also rather confusingly called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) was until quite recently usually called hyperactivity. It was also believed to be found only in children who exhibited its typical symptoms of being easily distracted, often restless and often irritable, as well as impulsive and easily upset and excited. It was also believed that such symptoms reflected a history of abusive behavior towards the child or consistent poor parenting, Now scientists believe that ADD is a lifetime condition rather than something that affects children alone and that its basis is biochemical and genetic rather than an expression of psychological trauma. "

Tags:psychological, trauma, hyperactivity, physical, impulsivity, family, activities

Abstract
This paper explains that the attention and memory processes are both complex and little understood and that these processes undergo different stages of development in the early years. The paper also highlights the importance of the teacher's role in the development of the memory and attention processes in young children and describes methods teachers can use to foster this development in their students.

From the Paper
"Attention and memory are two primary psychological processes that have been studied extensively. Presently, they still exist as only theories about how attention and memory operate, what structures are involved, and especially how the complicated processes actually work. In many ways, it reminds us that our present knowledge about how the brain operates is still a bit of a mystery. All children go through the same stages of human development, albeit in their own unique way. It is up to us as educators to be in tune with those stages to best assist them in their growth."

Tags:stimuli, categorize, organize, information, focus, processing, structures, sensory