Attention

This article has no abstract.

Second language acquisition (SLA) research suggests that learners differ in the extent to which they can direct their attention to the meaning and form of the input. Among various factors responsible for this discrepancy, learning style by itself or along with other factors might influence the process, yet its impact has rarely been addressed in empirical studies. The present study aimed to investigate how learners with different learning styles allocate their attention to form and content when exposed to different input modalities. For this purpose, 73 male and female university students from three intact groups, participated in the research. First, the Ehrman & Leaver (E& L) Construct Questionnaire was implemented to determine the participants' learning styles. Then, the reconstructive Elicited Imitation (REI) Tests comprising a reading and a listening section were administered to specify how learning styles might allocate their attention if exposed to different modalities. Moreover, to obtain further evidence regarding how they would attend to the form and content, a structured interview was employed. The analysis of Chi-square showed that the atomistic learners processed the linguistic features more effectively while the holistic learners focused more on the content. The results further indicated that both types of learners had difficulty processing oral input, although the atomistic learners outperformed the holistic learners in attending to the formal features. Finally it was revealed that learning style is a crucial factor, directing the EFL learners how to divide their attention between form and meaning, but input modalities can only influence the process.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explain the effectiveness of the model of established methods in autism (functional behavior analysis of ABA, Snowlen, and Dosa) based on the level of attention in children with autism spectrum disorder in Tehran. Methodology: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of this study was all children with autism spectrum disorder in Tehran in public and private educational and rehabilitation centers in 2018. By available sampling method, 48 people were selected and randomly divided into 4 intervention groups by applied behavior analysis method. , Snozelen, dosa and control group were divided. Data were collected based on the Connors Scale Scale (Parent Form) (1999), a modified review checklist, and the Wechsler intelligence test. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods and multivariate analysis of covariance were used to eliminate the pretest effect using SPSS software was used. Findings: The results showed that all three methods of functional behavior analysis of ABA, Snozlen and Dosa had a significant effect on increasing attention compared to the control group. Also, ABA applied behavior analysis method had a greater effect on improving attention in the three measurement stages than the other two experimental groups. Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that the use of these interventions and educational programs as a method in improving and rehabilitating children with this disorder is useful, so the use of this method is recommended. The results showed that the difference between the analysis of functional behavior of ABA, Snozlen and Dosa with the control group was significant at the level of 0.05, so it can be said that all three methods of functional behavior analysis of ABA, Snozlen and Dosa compared to the control group had a significant effect on increasing attention.

In order to establish the why of noticing, it is imperative to empirically explore the factors that potentially mediate noticing. This study aimed to explore two factors that are believed to affect noticing: the complexity of target structures and learners’ second language (L2) proficiency level. English relative clauses (RCs) were selected as the target structures, and Accessibility Hierarchy Hypothesis (AHH) was taken as the measure of the complexity of the RCs. A sample of 113 freshmen English language majors were selected as the participants of the study. A test of English RCs was developed as the placement test, and Key English Test (KET) was used to classify the participants into three groups of High (N=38), Mid (N=37), and Low (N=38) L2 proficiency level. Note-taking was used as the measure of noticing. After administering the RC test and the proficiency test, the participants were given a number of authentic reading texts containing instances of RCs and were required to take notes during reading activity. The non-parametric Friedman’s test demonstrated that the complexity of RCs positively affected the participants’ noticing while the non-parametric ANCOVA indicated that the participants’ L2 proficiency level had no significant effect on noticing. The findings of this study can be helpful to both teachers and material developers in providing learners with optimal conditions for noticing linguistic forms, which in turn, could facilitate L2 learning.

The present study aims to identify the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation on different types of attention in the third-grade students with specific learning disabilities (reading) considering moderating role of gender. As a quasi-experimental research, the study uses pretest-posttest design with control group. Façade testing, a helpful tool to identify the reading difficulties and dyslexia in elementary school, is performed to determine the research sample among the third-grade students in Tabriz. The students who score above average survey response rate are identified as specific learning-disability learners (reading). Among these students, 60 (four groups of 15) are selected by simple random sampling method and randomly divided into two experimental groups (two groups of 15, one group female students and the other male students who received cognitive rehabilitation training program) and two control groups. Cognitive rehabilitation training is delivered through Smart Sound training software (8-level computer-based cognitive rehabilitation in reading disorder). Attention is also measured by focused/sustained attention and scattered attention test designed in Sina Institute. To analyze the data, multivariate analysis of covariance is used. The results indicate cognitive rehabilitation is effective in focused/sustained attention, scattered attention, and reaction time in specific learning-disability students and gender does not have a moderating effect. Accordingly, cognitive rehabilitation does not have meaningful effect in the increase of focused attention, scattered attention and reaction time in male and female students.

The aim of this study was to evaluate Sustained Attention Performance and Reaction Time in Shooters of National Rifle, Pistol and Trap Teams and compare these groups with each other. In this causal-comparative study, 33 players of men national teams, including 11 from rifle team, 11 from pistol team and 11 from trap team were selected by available sampling method and evaluated using continuous computer performance test. Covariance method was used to compare the variables of continuous performance test including (number of errors and reaction time) between the three groups. The results showed no significant difference in the performance of sustained attention and Reaction Time between the three groups ( P > 0.05), despite the superiority of the trap group in both components. Based on the findings of the present study, the performance of sustained attention and reaction time in the shooters of the national teams of rifle, pistol and trap is equally important. These findings can be justified by the similar nature of different shooting disciplines in the use of sustained attention and reaction time.

Research findings reported to date indicate that carefully planning speech while performing a task increases second language (L2) learners’ attention to formal aspects of their discourse. The evidence, however, is mostly based on performance analysis with respect to the linguistic measures of complexity, accuracy, and fluency. To enhance the psycholinguistic validity of current findings, the present research adopted a process-product approach to analyze L2 learners’ performance and attention shift as indicated by the occurrence of pauses in their speech. The study involved thirty Iranian learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) who were divided into two groups of fifteen. Whereas participants in the first group were given unlimited time to carefully plan while performing a narrative task, their counterparts in the other group completed the same task under time constraint. Following participants’ performance, both performance analysis and retrospective interviews were conducted to collect their protocol data. The results revealed that carefully planned speech is characterized by increased complexity and accuracy and reduced fluency stemming from attention being primarily focused on syntactic encoding, lexical choice, and phonology instead of conceptualizing the message. The outcomes are discussed in light of their theoretical and pedagogical implications.

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Gagne’s model of instructional design on the attention and working memory capacity of students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This study adopted a quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest and a control group. The statistical population of the current research consisted of all fifth-grade female students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Tabriz in the academic year 2021-2022. In this study, 30 students with attention problems (scores higher than 72 in the Connors Parent Questionnaire) were selected as the sample and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent eight training sessions, four sessions per week, each for 30 minutes, using the Gagne’s training model while the control group did not receive any training. It should be mentioned that the computer version of the selective and divided attention and working memory tests were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and SPSS 22 software. The results showed that Gagne’s model of instructional design is effective in increasing divided attention (P <0.048), selective attention (P <0.018), reducing reaction time (P <0.009), and increasing working memory capacity (P <0.047) in students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Therefore, it is suggested that the content of courses requiring great attention and concentration be designed using Gagne’s model of instructional design and presented to students in order to increase the amount of divided attention , selective attention and working memory capacity and reduce reaction time.

Attention plays a vital role in education. Children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suffer from impairing levels of inattention. ADHD is a relatively common childhood disorder (Scahill & Schwab-Stone, 2000), which, if left untreated, results in adverse consequences (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). This necessitates employing attention-training methods, such as neurofeedback training (NFT). But although conventional, NFT is expensive and time-consuming; therefore, the need for finding other methods is felt. The total physical response (TPR) method can provide a suitable venue for teaching young learners with ADHD (Nunan, 2011). Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the comparative effects of NFT and TPR on ADHD young learners’ attention. To do so, 16 students with ADHD were selected from a school in Shahryar. They were randomly assigned to NFT and TPR groups, receiving these treatments for twenty sessions, respectively. The Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA+Plus) was used as the pre- and post-test to measure full, auditory, and visual attention. To answer the research questions investigating the comparative effects of NFT and TPR on ADHD young learners’ attention, non-parametric one-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted. Moreover, the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used to explore within-group differences. The results indicated significant improvements for both groups. Nevertheless, NFT was found to be more effective regarding full and auditory attention. Concerning visual attention, both treatments were similarly effective. The findings suggest both treatments can improve participants’ attention. The study has implications for education by shedding light on attention-training methods.

Motor learning studies on adults have shown that directing the learners’ attention to external cues is more effectual than internal cues. In this study, we investigated if this could be applied to children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). 45 boys with developmental coordination disorder were selected using motor observation questionnaire for teachers. The task was static balance test that was measured in two experimental conditions including internal (focus on body limb) and external (focus on rex marker) focus of attention. For data analysis, ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc were used at the significant level of P < 0.05. Results showed that external focus could improve motor learning. However, there was no significant difference between internal focus and control groups. Thus children with DCD benefit from the external focus of attention to learning a static balance skill. According to the results of this study, therapists and coaches should adjust their rehabilitation methods and instructions based on external focus of attention.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Neurofeedback (NFB) Therapy with Play Therapy in improving attention and cognitive function in students with Learning Disorder (LD). This study was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test and post-test design. The statistical population of the research was about 600 elementary school students with LD in Lar city in 2017 (N=212). A sample of 60 LD children who were identified in schools was selected by multistage cluster random sampling and randomly divided into four groups fifteen-three experimental and one control group. The tools used in the study were the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R) (Wechsler, 2003) and integrated visual and auditory continuous performance (IVA) (Sandford and Turner, 1995). NFB training was done according to the guidelines recommended by Monastra et al. (2005) in 20 sessions and play therapy cognitive performance and attention therapy were done according to the guidelines recommended by Drewes (2009) in 20 sessions, while no intervention was performed in the control group. Data were analyzed by the covariance analysis method. The results showed that NFB and play therapy were effective in increasing cognitive performance (p<0.01) and attention (p<0.01) compared to the control group. The combination of play therapy and NFB intervention was more effective on cognitive performance and attention rather than the two interventions separately. According to the results, it is recommended that therapists and clinical psychologists use NFB and play therapy to increase the sustained attention and working memory of students with LD.

My aim in this paper is to show how Josiah Royce’s philosophy contains many themes that will be at the core of Husserl’s philosophical investigations. This paper is divided in two sections. The first one outlines the start point of these two philosophers, contextualizing their background and showing how they share a common purpose: put the experience at the center of their thought. For this reason, I want to analyze how they treat the concept of attention in relation to that of intentionality to argue that their philosophies are strictly anchored to the givenness of the experience. In the second one I deal with the rising of the precategorial dimension (prior to any objectivation), as a possibility of experience itself, making a parallel between the Husserlian concept of Lebenswelt and that Roycean of World of Appreciation. Through this distinction they both criticize the scientific, naturalistic and objectivistic Weltanschaung, showing how its method is founded in an intuitive and non-thematic relation with the world experience that comes ontologically before the scientific description.