GRE Subject Test: Psychology : Attention

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Attention

People's ability to discern one conversation or focus on one point from another, prioritized by interest, is known as which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Specific attention

Attentional spotlight 

Divided attention

Aural wandering

Cocktail party effect

Correct answer:

Cocktail party effect

Explanation:

The cocktail party effect, demonstrated and named by Colin Cherry, illustrates people's ability to selectively attend to common stimuli--even in the presence of several conflicting conversations or auditory stimuli--which the brain identifies as more important. This is demonstrated by people's ability to hear their name, or the voice of a partner or friend, more clearly than other stimuli in a crowded environment. 

All GRE Subject Test: Psychology Resources

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