Selective Attention
Selective attention lets us focus on part of the information around us, but it can also make us miss something relevant. In an argument, overlooking a qualification or contrary evidence can distort what we think the other person said.
THE IDEA
Selective attention
Attention is limited. Focusing on one task can make us miss an unexpected event, even when it happens in plain sight.
In the “invisible gorilla” experiment by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons, viewers counted basketball passes made by one team. During the video, a woman in a gorilla suit walked into the scene, faced the camera, beat her chest, and left. She was visible for about nine seconds, yet roughly half the viewers in the described demonstration did not notice her. They were attending to the passes.
Inattentional blindness is one consequence of selective attention. A related problem arises in reasoning when we focus on one part of a message and miss information that would change its interpretation. A reader might notice a report of rising foreclosures but overlook reports of job growth, then judge the whole economy from the first indicator.
A reader of a religious text might likewise attend to passages that support a preferred view and pass over passages that challenge it. That example can also involve confirmation bias or deliberate selection of evidence; the gorilla experiment alone does not explain the reader’s motives.
During a disagreement, someone may respond to a minor detail while missing the main claim or its qualifications. If the response attacks a position the speaker did not actually take, it can become a strawman. Repeating the full claim in your own words before replying is one way to check what you understood.
Selecting information is necessary. The question is whether the information left out is irrelevant to the task or could materially change the conclusion.
When to use it
During a debate, consciously list all points raised before responding to avoid cherry-picking.
When evaluating a complex issue (e.g., climate change), seek out information that challenges your initial view to counter selective attention.
In team decision-making, assign a 'devil's advocate' to highlight overlooked data or perspectives.
In safety-critical jobs (e.g., air traffic control, nuclear plant operation), understanding selective attention helps in designing alerts and interfaces that capture attention when it's most needed.
During driving, any distracting activity (like adjusting the radio or using a phone) can lead to selective attention, increasing the risk of accidents by causing drivers to miss road hazards.
In education, teachers can use techniques that guide students' attention to key concepts while minimizing distractions, but should also be aware that focusing too narrowly might cause learners to miss broader connections.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Economic Assessment
Jimbo focuses only on a single piece of news about foreclosures to conclude the economy is in a dire state, ignoring any positive economic indicators. This selective attention leads to an overly negative and incomplete assessment.
Reading for a Preferred Interpretation
A reader focuses on passages in a religious text that support a preferred interpretation and gives little attention to passages that complicate it. The resulting account may leave out relevant parts of the text.
The Invisible Gorilla Experiment
In this classic study by Chabris and Simons, participants watched a video of basketball players passing a ball. Their task was to count passes. Halfway through, a person in a gorilla suit walked across the screen, yet roughly half of participants didn't notice it because their attention was focused on counting.
Everyday Selective Attention
While deeply focused on reading a compelling article on your phone, you fail to notice a friend waving at you from across the street. Your attention is so engaged that the friend remains 'invisible' to your perception.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a recent argument you had. What information did you focus on, and what might you have overlooked?
How can you train yourself to notice when you are selectively attending to only favorable evidence?
In what ways might selective attention affect your interpretation of news or social media?
Think of a recent situation where you missed an obvious detail because you were focused on something else. What were you focusing on, and what did you miss?
How could selective attention lead to errors in decision-making in a professional setting, such as during a medical diagnosis or an audit?
Try shifting your attention to a different feature of a familiar place. What do you notice that you usually overlook?
References
- Gorillas in our midst: Sustained inattentional blindness for dynamic events — Chabris, C. F., & Simons, D. J. (1999)
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- 60 Cognitive Biases That Ruin Everything We Do by David Scott
- Logically Fallacious - The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies