FINST theory

a theory of visual attention that posits a preconceptual mechanism by which a small number of items in the visual field (usually about four) are “indexed”—that is, marked out as discrete—so that they can be accessed by higher order cognitive functions at subsequent stages of processing. The name is a contraction of fingers of instantiation: The visual indexes are proposed to aid orientation and tracking in a manner analogous to physical fingers. Also called visual indexing theory. [proposed in 1989 by Canadian cognitive scientist and philosopher Zenon W. Pylyshyn (1937– )]

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Psychology term of the day

December 26th 2024

institutionalized racism

differential treatment of individuals on the basis of their racial group by religious organizations, governments, businesses, the media, educational institutions, and other large social entities. Examples include discrimination in hiring, promotion, and advancement at work; restrictive housing regulations that promote segregation; unfair portrayal of minority members in newspapers and magazines; and legal statutes that restrict the civil liberties of the members of specific racial categories. A parallel phenomenon exists for sexism. Also called institutional racism.