Hierarchical systems of attention and action

Asher Cohen*, Hagit Magen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

We hypothesize that attention is divided into two separable but hierarchically organized networks in which both are involved in action-related processes. The higher-level system is in charge of setting up the task. The two networks share the duty of resolving online competition arising during task performance. The lower-level network (e.g. visual attention) can resolve online conflicts, at both the input and output ends of processing, with a limited set of selection cues. The higher-level network is recruited when these cues are not available. We review the literature and show that our hypothesis is compatible with the available findings. Our hypothesis has clear predictions when two tasks are performed concurrently, as in the psychological refractory period paradigm. We describe experiments, using this paradigm, that support these predictions, and discuss some of the outstanding questions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAttention in Action
Subtitle of host publicationAdvances from Cognitive Neuroscience
PublisherPsychology Press
Pages27-67
Number of pages41
ISBN (Print)0203449223, 9780203449226
DOIs
StatePublished - 24 Nov 2004

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