Motivation and Divided Attention study

Researchers: Dan Peterson & Dr. Lisa Jefferies

Trimesters 1 and 2 of 2024

Ethics approval: GU Ref No: 2024/310

Thank you for participating in this study!  

Below is some information to let you know what the study was about and what we found.

What are we studying?

Attention is the cognitive process of selectively focusing on certain information while ignoring other information. It allows individuals to prioritise what they perceive and process, enhancing the ability to respond to relevant events or tasks. Attention can be influenced by various factors, including sensory input, emotional significance, and personal interests.

Visual attention was initially thought to consist of a single focus (Barriopedro & Botella, 1998; Heinze et al., 1994; Posner et al., 1980), but research has shown that, under certain circumstances, it can be divided into multiple areas (foci) when needed (see the image below; Awh & Pashler, 2000; Cave et al., 2010; Jefferies et al., 2014; Kawahara & Yamada, 2006). This process of dividing attention is dynamic, and when a task requires divided attention, we usually start with a single focus and then gradually split our attention over time (Jefferies & Witt, 2019).  [Explanation continues below the image]

Not much research has looked into what affects how quickly we can divide our attention. However, factors like task difficulty, cultural background, and activation of the Locus Coeruleus norepinephrine system can influence this process. Interestingly, this system is also linked to motivation.

Currently, not much research has looked into what affects how quickly we can divide our attention. However, a few factors like task difficulty, cultural background, and activation of the Locus-Coeruleus norepinephrine system are known to influence how quickly attention can be divided (e.g., Jefferies et al., 2022; Zu et al., 2022). Interestingly, the Locus-Coeruleus norepinephrine system is also linked to motivation, which suggests that motivation may influence how quickly attention can be divided.

Motivation is the impetus or inspiration that gives purpose or direction to human behaviour (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory is a prominent theory of motivation which suggests that individual differences in human behaviour are due to separate systems in the brain responsible for reactions to both rewarding and punishing stimuli (Gray, 1970; Gray, 1990; Gray & McNaughton, 2000). Self-determination theory categorises motivation as either intrinsic, which is internally fulfilling behaviour carried out for personal enjoyment, or extrinsic, which is behaviour driven by external rewards or punishment (Ryan & Deci, 2000). The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of motivation on the timecourse of dividing attention – how quickly attention can be divided.  

What research methodology was used?

Our research utilised the methodology of Jefferies and Witt (2019). In their study, they used the Attentional Blink paradigm to track how quickly attention could be divided.  In an Attentional Blink paradigm, participants are presented with two rapid streams of digits, one to the left and one to the right of a central point. The task is to identify two pairs of target letter targets.  By manipulating whether the targets appear in the streams or in between the streams, we can tell whether attention is unitary or divided.  By changing how close together in time the two targets are presented, we can see how attention changes over time.  

In this study, the independent variables were:

1. Motivation level (high or low intrinsic motivation based on scores on the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire).

2. The time between the two target pairs.

The dependent variable was how accurately people could identify the letters in the targets. 

What did we find?

Our results supported previous research, confirming that attention is first deployed as a single focus, and then gradually divided into two separate foci over time (see Jefferies & Witt, 2019).  However, there were no significant effects of motivation, and it seems that even though the same brain area is responsible for dividing attention and for motivation, how motivated somebody is does not influence how quickly they divide attention. 

What are the implications of the research?

 Understanding Attention Mechanisms: If motivation doesn’t affect how quickly attention can be divided, it suggests that attention is governed by cognitive processes distinct from motivational states. This could reshape theories in cognitive psychology regarding how attention works.

Focus on Cognitive Strategies: The results of this research imply that improving how quickly people can divide attention may be more effective if we reply on training cognitive skills and strategies rather than increasing motivation. This can lead to new approaches in education and skill development.