Attention is a quality of perception.
The etymological origin of the term attention is found in the Latin term attentio , which we are now going to analyze in depth. A word that is made up of three parts: the prefix ad – which is synonymous with “towards”, the verb tendere which can be translated as “stretch” and finally the suffix – ción which is equivalent to “action and effect”.
Attention is a term with different meanings and can be used in different areas. For psychology , attention is a quality of perception that functions as a kind of filter for environmental stimuli, evaluating which are the most relevant and giving them priority for deeper processing. On the other hand, attention is also understood as the mechanism that controls and regulates cognitive processes . There are times when it even acts unconsciously.
Other uses of the word attention refer to courtesy (attention as a demonstration of respect) and the call to soldiers formed to begin an exercise or maneuver.
Attention according to psychology
Psychologists establish two types of determinants of attention: internal determinants (those that are specific to the individual and depend on him) and external determinants (that come from the environment).
In the first group, we can mention the organic state (the drives that the subject experiences when receiving stimulation), the interests (related to what attracts the person. For example: a sports lover will pay close attention to a soccer match. ), social suggestion and the courses of thought .
Among the external determinants, there are the power of the stimulus (for example, a loud sound), the change (an alteration in the field of perception), the size (an imposing image), the repetition (a weak stimulus that gains strength by being repeated constantly), movement (a displacement that generates a reaction), contrast (a stimulus that contrasts with the environment) and structural organization .
A call for attention involves demanding priority processing of a certain stimulus.
The concept in health
In addition to all of the above, it is important to determine that this term that concerns us now is also used in the field of health. Specifically, we talk about what is known as primary care .
This is the name given to the medical assistance that a person with a health problem initially receives.
Expressions with the term attention
In the same way, in the colloquial sphere the expression "call attention" is used. With it, what is meant is that a person or a specific element manages to awaken the curiosity or interest of another. Thus, for example, a phrase that would explain this meaning would be the following: "The spectacular window of that store managed to attract the attention of all passers-by."
And all this without forgetting the existence of another very common expression which is "call for attention" . With it, what is defined is the warning that someone gives to another person. One of the most common places where it is used is in education as it is common to hear the following phrase : "The teacher called Manuel's attention about his bad behavior in class and the consequences that this would have if he continued to act in this way." that way."