Page 193 - PPL-engelsk 2025

Human Performance

Thus, selective attention is an absolute necessity for both global cognitive

processes and behavior in general.

For example, selective attention ensures that the visual system does not

automatically process and analyze all visual information but instead is focused

only on relevant information.

In physical behavior, selective attention shows up as the fixation of gaze, a

specific head position, or the body orienting toward relevant information.

When selective attention is well-adjusted, one is not affected by useless

information and irrelevant distractions.

People with a high level of distractibility easily have their attention affected by
irrelevant things. To achieve concentration, they need to reduce the number of

stimuli in their environment that prevents them from concentrating, such as by

finding a quiet place to read a written message.

Cognitive exercises, where one has to identify objects that do not fit into a
context or objects hidden in a distracting pattern, can provide insight into this

form of attention.

In humans, auditory attention develops earlier than visual attention, as it starts

developing in the fetal stage.

2.7.3.2 Divided attention

The ability to divide attention, i.e., to split attention between multiple

simultaneous tasks, is used in relation to many important activities.

Flight Theory PPL(A)(UL)/LAPL Henning Andersen, Midtjysk Flyveskole© 2025 193