This paper examines three properties of attentional inhibition mechanisms. First, previous research has suggested that the inhibitory mechanism of selective attention has a central locus between perception and action. We attempt to confirm the locus of this inhibition. Second, the processing of an unattended stimulus has been observed via the effects of the stimulus on a concurrent target (interference), and on a subsequent target (negative priming). The former effect demonstrates that distractors interfere with the processing of the target, and the latter negative priming effect implies that distractors are inhibited during selection. We demonstrate that these two measures of unattended processing can be dissociated. Third, we reveal that inhibition appears to be a stable mechanism of selection, in that effects do not decline after a large number of experimental trials.
A computer-aided training program was developed in SuperCard and piloted with professional painters. Taking a modern programmed-instruction/behavioral-education approach, cTRAIN is structured as a series of information sets. Each information set consists of a series of information screens (three to five recommended) followed by quiz screens (one to three recommended) structured as four-response multiple choice questions. Correct quiz responses produce positive feedback and continuation in the series, whereas incorrect responses result in "error" feedback and return the student to the beginning of the information set to repeat the same information screens and the same quiz question. This report demonstrates a specific implementation, respiratory protection requirements, using the flexible cTRAIN system for developing training modules. Fifteen adults completed the respiratory protection program, demonstrating substantial and significant (p < .0001 by paired t test) gains from baseline pretest (19.4 out of 30 questions) to the immediate posttest (28.1). Performance remained elevated (26.4) on a retest taken 1 week later.
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