Joseph B. Hopfinger - Böcker

Attention refers to our ability to selectively process the vast array of stimuli impinging upon our senses at every moment. The mental processes of attention are critical for allowing us to maintain focus and complete tasks efficiently, even within distracting environments. The brain mechanisms of attention have been studied for decades, yet much still remains unknown, and consensus on core issues remains elusive. A unique aspect of this book are chapters that highlight recent debates on critical issues in attention research. Each of these chapters includes a comprehensive discussion paper that is followed by peer commentaries and an authors' responses. These debates include whether attention can modulate activity of even the earliest cortical processing region and whether changes in white matter are critical for plasticity-related effects of attention training. In addition to these discussion chapters, the book presents cutting-edge research on some of the newest theories of attentional control and selective attention, including the influence of practice, epigenetics, reward, social interaction, and distractor suppression. These studies employ advanced cognitive neuroscience methods such as neurostimulation, functional neuroimaging pattern analysis, and the evaluation of oscillatory brain activity to shed light on the brain mechanisms underlying attention.The chapters in this book were originally published as articles in various issues of the journal Cognitive Neuroscience.

Attention refers to our ability to selectively process the vast array of stimuli impinging upon our senses at every moment. The mental processes of attention are critical for allowing us to maintain focus and complete tasks efficiently, even within distracting environments. The brain mechanisms of attention have been studied for decades, yet much still remains unknown, and consensus on core issues remains elusive. A unique aspect of this book are chapters that highlight recent debates on critical issues in attention research. Each of these chapters includes a comprehensive discussion paper that is followed by peer commentaries and an authors' responses. These debates include whether attention can modulate activity of even the earliest cortical processing region and whether changes in white matter are critical for plasticity-related effects of attention training. In addition to these discussion chapters, the book presents cutting-edge research on some of the newest theories of attentional control and selective attention, including the influence of practice, epigenetics, reward, social interaction, and distractor suppression. These studies employ advanced cognitive neuroscience methods such as neurostimulation, functional neuroimaging pattern analysis, and the evaluation of oscillatory brain activity to shed light on the brain mechanisms underlying attention.The chapters in this book were originally published as articles in various issues of the journal Cognitive Neuroscience.

Attention is critical to our daily lives, from simple acts of reading or listening to a conversation to the more demanding situations of trying to concentrate in a noisy environment or driving on a busy roadway. This book offers a concise introduction to the science of attention, featuring real-world examples and fascinating studies of clinical disorders and brain injuries. It introduces cognitive neuroscience methods and covers the different types and core processes of attention. The links between attention, perception, and action are explained, along with exciting new insights into the brain mechanisms of attention revealed by cutting-edge research. Learning tools - including an extensive glossary, chapter reviews, and suggestions for further reading - highlight key points and provide a scaffolding for use in courses. This book is ideally suited for graduate or advanced undergraduate students as well as for anyone interested in the role attention plays in our lives.