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Human Performance

2.7.4.3 Managing attention - automatic or controlled process?

One can read written material in ways that are either automatic or controlled.

Reading is automatic (i.e., quick and unconscious) when external stimulation

governs attention. This is exogenous attention.

In other cases, attention control may be controlled and volitional, meaning the

attention is directed by the person. This is a relatively slow process, partly

conscious, and requires a larger amount of attention resources.

This is called endogenous attention.

Thus, exogenous attention is what is used when one directs attention to a

sudden flash of lightning in the sky.

On the other hand, if one is looking at the sky to spot a particular star formation,
one is controlling one’s attention; this is endogenous attention.

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