Question

the four types of attention that are utilized in the human information processing model are: selective, focused, divided, and sustained. If a task was designed for the specific type of attention, which would be the most difficult to design for? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

It is the divided attention, for that it is most difficult to design a task. A divided attention refers to work on two factors, two stimuli or two demand at one point of time and give equal attention to both the demand, but a human brain can only process one demand at one point of time to get proper results. So, it becomes very difficult to process the two demands at one point of time. Hence, designing a task that could develop or create divided attention is considered to be most difficult, as it may end up with not doing good in both the demands. It requires specific training of human brain and carefully use divided attention at selected places. For example, while reviewing the performance of the process and giving the direction to the employees can be done up to a certain level, but participating in a group meeting and responding to mails, is not possible for a manager as one activity will create distraction for another activity.