Applying optimal stimulation theory, the present study explored the development of sustained attention as a dynamic process. It examined the interaction of modality and temperament over time in children and adults. Second-grade children and college-aged adults performed auditory and visual vigilance tasks. Using the Carey temperament…

This article reviews the hypothesis that mind wandering can be integrated into executive models of attention. Evidence suggests that mind wandering shares many similarities with traditional notions of executive control. When mind wandering occurs, the executive components of attention appear to shift away from the primary task, leading to failures…

This study aimed to extend earlier work (Wilding, Munir, & Cornish, 2001; Wilding, 2003) which showed that children (aged 6-15) who were rated by their teachers as having poor attentional ability made more errors on a visual search task than children rated as having good attentional ability. The present study used a simpler version of the search…

Proactive interference (PI) may influence the predictive utility of working memory span tasks. Participants in one experiment (N=70) completed Ravens Advanced Progressive Matrices (RAPM) and multiple versions of operation span and probed recall, modified for the type of memoranda (digits or words). Changing memoranda within- or across-trials…

This paper attempted to offer a theoretical framework on the action of Orienters on initiating attentional processes. (Author/RK)

Examines the retention of a lecture by college students. Emphasis is on note taking procedures, information density and speech rate. Retention was measured 48 hours after lecture and was found to be superior when note taking was separated from listening and speech was at normal rate. (Author/DEP)

Investigation supported by Research Grant HD-01396 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Habituation and dishabituation to a simple geometric stimulus were examined for a sample of 36 5-month old subjects. All subjects viewed successive presentations of a standard stimulus, and, following a retention interval, a single presentation of the standard and a novel stimulus in the test phase. During the interpolated interval, repeated…

Results indicated men in poor metabolic control obtained lower scores on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) Information and Vocabulary subtests than did a demographically matched group in good metabolic control. Men in poor control evidenced disrupted attention on a simple reaction time measure. Results suggest that poor metabolic…

Findings indicated no differences between 17 learning disabled and 32 normal elementary students on attention tasks, no difference in sustained attention, and no evidence of a developmental lag. A significant difference in attention was found favoring special classes over regular, small groups over large, and teacher-directed over independent…

Five of six learning disabled students (aged eight to 11) demonstrated greater attention span toward classroom tasks on days of a running program than on nonrunning days. Further, three Ss evidenced more impulse control on running days, and as a whole, Ss demonstrated less disruptive behavior on running days. (CL)

Reviews the literature in an attempt to show the effects of inattention upon reading achievement. (RB)