Design and validation of a paradigm to evaluate selective attention, using the open source software "psychopy," applicable to functional magnetic resonance

Abstract

Introduction: Selective attention is a neuropsychological function involved in carrying out activities, from the simplest to the most complex, guiding us towards the search for relevant elements for the achievement of proposed tasks and inhibiting other responses. Objective: Design and validation of the paradigm to evaluate selective attention. Methodology: Quantitative study, exploratory-descriptive, experimental. The instrument was designed in three stages: 1) elaboration of the paradigm, 2) validation of the construct and content, 3) Field test and data analysis applied to 18 healthy adults, selected in a non-probabilistic way, between 18 and 30 years old. The paradigm was developed virtually in "PsychoPy," based on the d2 test and adapted for the Magnetic Resonator. Results: High scores were found in the evaluation of selective attention and the average time of correct answers is adequate in relation to the amount of work. When analyzing the influence of age and sex with the frequency of correct answers, no statistically significant differences were found. Conclusions: The selective attention paradigm is a complementary prognostic tool, useful to assess this function, because it has construct and content validity; being a safe, free and easy-to-apply instrument.