Variation in the intensity and consistency of attention during learning
Abstract
The ability to learn and remember important information is critical for a number of tasks and situations sailors encounter on a dail,y basis. A critical factor in training is that you pay attention to the information at learning to ensure it is properly encoded an,d stored. Information that we pay attention to tends to be remembered better than information that is unattended, or receives less,attention. The current proposal will test the notion that aspects of attention control are important for learning and for individua,l differences in learning ability. Specifically, overall differences in the ability to allocate attention to the task at hand and p,revent task disengagement are likely sources of individual differences in learning and training. Those individuals who can increase, (and sustain) attention during learning should encode that information better than individuals who cannot increase the allocation o,f attention (intensity) at encoding, leading to differences in retention. Furthermore, individual differences in fluctuations and la,pses of attention (consistency) are another important source of variation in learning, such that those individuals who experience mo,re fluctuations of attention will likely not encode information as well as individuals who can consistently maintain their attention, on task. The current proposal will investigate 1) how individual differences in intensity and consistency influence variation in l,earning abilities, 2) determine what contextual factors influence variation in intensity, consistency, and overall learning abilitie,s, and 3) investigate whether individuals can modulate their allocation of attention to increase learning. The proposed research bu,ilds on our prior experimental, psychometric, physiological, and theoretical research examining individual differences in learning a,nd attention and provides a more integrative framework for examining these issues and examining ways to increase learning by increas,ing attention during learning. Our proposed research will offer the potential for advancement and improvement of Navy and Marine Co,rps operations. High levels of learning and retention are paramount during military operations. Therefore, methods aimed at improvin,g overall learning in training environments are of a high priority. Our research aims to provide evidence that would be related to d,eveloping methods to improve upon an individuals learning abilities by increasing overall attention allocation and reducing lapses,of attention during learning and training.Approved for Public Release
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 08, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212083
Entities
People
- Nash Unsworth
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Oregon