early-selection theory

any theory of attention proposing that selection of stimuli for processing occurs prior to stimulus identification. According to early-selection theory, unattended stimuli receive only a slight degree of processing that does not encompass meaning, whereas attended stimuli proceed through a significant degree of deep, meaningful analysis. Compare late-selection theory.

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Psychology term of the day

July 27th 2024

analogies test

a test of the participant’s ability to comprehend the relationship between two items and then extend that relationship to a different situation: For example, paintbrush is to paint as pen is to ___.