Attention and the Frontal Cortex

Abstract

Sensory selective attention often occurs covertly, as a relatively automatic response to salient stimuli that occur in the environment. Demands for controlled processing increase as the number of targets and stimulus complexity increase and response demands become greater. Yet, many of the processes necessary for orienting, allocating, engaging, and shifting attention can occur automatically, without overt response intention or specific response demands. Yet, in everyday life, people routinely direct their attention to either external stimuli, particular responses (e.g., swinging a tennis racket), or cognitive operations based on their momentary disposition, motivation, and prevailing situational demands and reinforcements. At these times, their attention tends to be subjectively experienced as voluntary or intentional, and it usually occurs with conscious awareness.