Attention

Staying Focused in the Face of Distractions

Avoiding distractions – the usual advice for staying attentive – may not actually be the best answer to keeping on task, a study shows… More

  • While any child can become distracted in this way, a study found that the minds of children with untreated ADHD were more likely to simply go blank. ... More

    ADHD May Stop Thoughts in Their Tracks

    While any child can become distracted in this way, a study found that the minds of children with untreated ADHD were more likely to simply go blank. ... More

  • A study indicates that when we're distracted by something visual, we can actually miss an unrelated smell... More

    Does Concentration Blunt Our Sense of Smell?

    A study indicates that when we're distracted by something visual, we can actually miss an unrelated smell... More

  • Averaging the results from two independent participants improved screening accuracy, whether participants were looking at baggage scans or mammograms... More

    This is a photo of a person screening baggage scans

    Harnessing the Power of the Crowd Could Improve Screening Accuracy

    Averaging the results from two independent participants improved screening accuracy, whether participants were looking at baggage scans or mammograms... More

  • Adults are good at remembering information they are told to focus on, while young children tend to pay attention to all the information presented, even when they were told to focus on one particular item... More

    Telescope against the backdrop of a broad, open landscape

    Children Notice Information That Adults Miss

    Adults are good at remembering information they are told to focus on, while young children tend to pay attention to all the information presented, even when they were told to focus on one particular item... More

  • Research is uncovering the various and sometimes overwhelming distractions that children face during a period when they have some of their most important learning to do... More

    Competing for Attention

    Research is uncovering the various and sometimes overwhelming distractions that children face during a period when they have some of their most important learning to do... More

  • A simulation study suggests that drivers' minds wander more often when they travel on empty roads compared to busy routes... More

    How Boring Roads Lead to Distracted Driving

    A simulation study suggests that drivers' minds wander more often when they travel on empty roads compared to busy routes... More

  • Scientists are studying whether engaging in interesting tasks in an autonomous car might keep drivers awake and alert, or might distract them from preparing to take control of the vehicle when necessary... More

    How Monotony Promotes Sleepiness in Self-Driving Vehicles

    Scientists are studying whether engaging in interesting tasks in an autonomous car might keep drivers awake and alert, or might distract them from preparing to take control of the vehicle when necessary... More

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