Meaning of attention (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Attention:

Attention is the action and the result of attending.

Depending on the context, it can be equivalent to terms such as: courtesy, education, civility, kindness and respect. For example: 'He had a lot of attention with me.' With this meaning, it is especially used in the plural. For example: 'He gave us a lot of attention'.

In Psychology, 'attention' is the ability to perceive certain stimuli. It is also used to define the mechanism that controls and regulates cognitive processes.

In other contexts, used as an interjection, the word 'attention' serves to warn of something. For example, in the military it is used in this way to indicate that an exercise or maneuver is about to begin. For ranchers, 'attention' is a contract for the sale of wool, without a price determination, but referring to another contract previously made. This word comes from the Latin attentĭo, -ōnis .

Attention in Psychology

In Psychology, attention is understood to be a perceptual quality that functions as a filter for sensory stimuli. Attention allows evaluating them and prioritizing those stimuli that they consider most important.

Types of care

There are several classifications in this regard, which also vary depending on what criteria are used. Depending on the mechanisms used by the person, one can speak of a selective intention (when obviate secondary elements is achieved and stimuli that are not related to an activity being performed), sos care taken (when held steadily during long period of time), divided attention (when you are able to pay attention to two or more stimuli at the same time, useful in the development of complex tasks such as driving). Attention can also be voluntary and involuntary. In the first case, it is produced consciously and can be developed and worked to be improved. In the second case, it is more due to emotional issues, it is more difficult to control.

Attention and concentration

The attention and concentration are interrelated. When some element of distraction occurs, concentration is lost. One of the reasons is the set of environmental stimuli that exist while performing a task. Likewise, when the activity requires mental effort, the human mint can look for another type of activity. For this, it is important to stay focused and avoid possible sources of distraction, which can be internal (pending issues or future plans, for example) and external (street noise, for example).

Customer Support

In the commercial sphere, ' customer service ' is the service provided to people who purchase a good or service. Customer service ranges from the reception and information before making a purchase to the post-sale follow-up. In large companies there are departments dedicated exclusively to customer service.

Scattered attention

In psychological terms, there are disorders related to attention, such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). In many cases, it is diagnosed by professionals and there are treatments for it. In a colloquial way, when there is a difficulty in maintaining attention and concentration on a certain task or in a generic way, it is usually spoken of ' scattered attention ', referring to not being able to focus attention on a certain activity.