Individual Differences in the Intensity and Consistency of Attention

Abstract

Individual differences in attention abilities predict performance in a number of domains. We suggest that two aspects of attention are especially important for variation in attention abilities: intensity and consistency. We review evidence suggesting that individual differences in the amount of attention allocated to a task (intensity) and how consistently attention is allocated to a task (consistency) are related to each other and to overall task performance. We suggest that a number of factors (e.g., capacity, arousal, regulation, motivation) drive variation in intensity and consistency and demonstrate that these two aspects of attention are important in accounting for variation in working memory, learning, and preparatory control. Examining individual differences in both intensity and consistency will be important in order to understand variation in attention abilities in and out of the laboratory.

Oculometric indicators of individual differences in preparatory control during the antisaccade task.

“…Given that there is a great deal of variability in antisaccade performance (Evdokimidis et al, 2002; Hutton & Ettinger, 2006; Unsworth et al, 2021) a number of studies have attempted to discern the nature of individual differences in antisaccade by examining different factors that might account for variation in performance. For example, a number of prior studies have demonstrated a consistent positive correlation between variation in working memory capacity (WMC) and antisaccade performance (Kane et al, 2001; Meier et al, 2018; Unsworth et al, 2004; Unsworth et al, 2021; Unsworth et al, 2021b). These results have been interpreted as suggesting the importance of maintaining the current task goal in working memory to ensure accurate responding on antisaccade trials (Kane et al, 2001; Meier et al, 2018; Roberts et al, 1994; Unsworth et al, 2004; Unsworth et al, 2021b).…”

“…That is, those individuals who experience more frequent lapses of attention and mind-wandering typically perform worse on the antisaccade (and other tasks) than individuals who consistently maintain attention on-task. Furthermore, prior research has suggested that at least some of variation in antisaccade performance is due to speed factors such that some individuals are faster at moving the focus of attention than others resulting in better performance (e.g., Unsworth et al, 2004; Unsworth et al, 2021b) on versions of the antisaccade task that require the detection of briefly presented targets (e.g., Kane et al, 2001; Meier et al, 2018; Miyake et al, 2000; Roberts et al, 1994; Unsworth et al, 2021; Unsworth et al, 2021b). For example, Unsworth et al (2021b) found that WMC, lapses of attention, and speed all accounted for unique variance in antisaccade performance, suggesting that all three factors are important for variation in antisaccade.…”

“…The extent to which preparatory control processes are engaged will depend, in part, on the intensity (or strength) of those preparatory processes (Braver, 2012; Shenhav et al, 2017; Unsworth & Robison, 2020; Unsworth & Miller, 2021). Within our current framework, intensity refers to how much attention/attentional effort is allocated to a given task (Unsworth & Robison, 2020; Unsworth et al, 2020; Unsworth & Miller, 2021; see also Shenhav et al, 2017). When intensity is high, overall control levels are appropriate.…”

“…Furthermore, motivation levels will likely influence the intensity of attention and overall performance (Kelly et al, 2017; Unsworth & Miller, 2021). Thus, in our current view, preparatory control consists of goal management processes (i.e., goal selection, goal activation, and goal maintenance; Unsworth & Robison, 2020) and the overall intensity of attention applied to those processes (Unsworth et al, 2020; Unsworth & Miller, 2021). Note, this does not mean that the intensity of attention and goal management processes are identical.…”

Cognitive Variation: The Philosophical Landscape

“…1 Many contemporary cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists are interested in how and why people differ from one another. Recent research has probed individual differences in attention (Unsworth and Miller 2021), belief updating (Douven and Schupbach 2015), creative cognition (Dygert and Jarosz 2020), fear acquisition and extinction (Lonsdorf and Merz 2017), language processing (Kidd et al 2017), mental imagery (Reeder et al 2017), pain sensitivity (Mogil 2021),…”