Attention is the focus of human consciousness on specific objects and phenomena of particular importance for a person.
It may be of several types: involuntary, voluntary and post involuntary.
- Involuntary attention (emotional or passive) is the concentration of consciousness on a particular object due to its characteristics. Any stimulus may attract interest. In this case, a major role is played by a person’s moral and intellectual feelings. Depending on this determines the duration of attention.
- Voluntary attention (volitional or active) is a conscious concentration on an object. In this case, a person focuses on what he or she needs to do. It occurs when a person has a goal to accomplish some work that requires concentration.
- Post-arbitrary attention is concentration aimed at the task at hand without much effort, that is, it is based on knowledge previously acquired. At the same time, an internal motivation (an attraction that arises from within the person) prevails over the external one.
Now a little about the features of development of attention and memory.
Motivation plays a big role in the issue of retention of attention on an object. Scientists have proved that a person can concentrate continuously for no more than 40 minutes, and after that he needs a break. The features of attention are expressed in its properties, and we will talk about each of them briefly.
The volume of attention – is expressed in the number of simultaneously perceived objects. This depends on several factors: genetic, professional skills and the potential of short-term memory.
Concentration – the ability of the psyche to continuously concentrate on an object. Thanks to this property it is possible to discover something new in ordinary things.
Distribution – a person is able to perform several actions simultaneously or observe several objects. In this case, the brain can optimally distribute the excitability of cortical areas, which provides the ability to control several processes. The disadvantages of this property include rapid fatigability.
Switchability is the rearrangement of a person’s attention from one object to another, and it may or may not be arbitrary. Depending on the individual’s interest in the type of activity, volitional effort will be manifested.
Techniques for developing attention depending on the characteristics you need
Most methods for developing attention are aimed at speeding up the onset of postproductive attention, as well as the ability to concentrate quickly. Various games and techniques will be a good aid in developing memory.
Each person has a different level of concentration, but despite this, developmental activities are necessary for everyone. Thanks to them you can get rid of absent-mindedness.
Spend your free time solving puzzles, solving logic problems or playing chess. The process of developing attention and memory should be your pleasure and deliver fun. By the way, if you’re a student that has a lot of tasks, use EssayAssistant for it and focus on developing a great attention to detail. To say the truth, its much more important. So only under these conditions it is possible to pump well the work of the brain.
Any activity should be accompanied by silence, because in this way you can achieve full concentration on the new object or subject of study. The development of visual attention involves sometimes simple exercises. By mastering them, a person acquires a new skill for focusing on life’s goals and objectives. It is important to alternate tasks, to mix difficult tasks with easy ones, interesting ones with not interesting ones.
Popular ways to develop attention
Concentration on Sensation
Concentration is the ability to direct all your attention to one specific object or action. The better you develop this feeling, the longer you can work without distraction. Concentration can be developed with the help of the senses. For example, while eating dinner, thoroughly feel each piece of food, feel its taste, seasoning, and composition of the sauce. Or, going to work in the morning, look around, try to remember as many details as possible.
Using the Sasaki method
Its essence is as follows. When a person is distracted from an important task and realizes it himself, you need to give yourself the command “Attention!” and continue to do the work that was left behind. Such an exercise will instill discipline and help not to be distracted by extraneous objects.
Meditations
Meditation is said to be the best practice of mindfulness. Its purpose is to learn to focus on one object. With constant practice, one develops the ability to remain calm, centered, and grounded, because distractions can be found not only on the outside but also on the inside.
Take a few minutes a day to do these techniques. In a month, your mind will be clearer, your consciousness will be clearer, and your concentration will greatly improve.
Giving up the habit of doing things halfway
Sometimes due to lack of time or energy, we do many things half-heartedly. This causes our brain to relax and stop concentrating. This is bad practice. In order to eliminate this, you need to do one thing, either relax after work by watching a movie and focus your attention only on it, or create yourself a relaxing environment where you can be alone with your thoughts.
Speed Reading
The German psychotherapist Walter Schulte in the mid-20th century invented a unique test that is used to determine attention span and performance dynamics. It promotes speed-reading and helps improve memory and oral counting.
There are special tables in which two-digit numbers are spelled out in random order. The task is to focus your attention on the center of the table, and the peripheral vision to find the order of numbers from less to more and vice versa. Regular performance of this exercise will allow you to read faster, find the necessary material, orient yourself better in the text, and also contributes to the development of memory.
