late-selection theory

any theory of attention proposing that selection occurs after stimulus identification. According to late-selection theory, within sensory limits, all stimuli—both attended and unattended—are processed to the same deep level of analysis until stimulus identification occurs; subsequently, only the most important stimuli are selected for further processing. Compare early-selection theory.

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Psychology term of the day

January 3rd 2025

noncontingent reinforcement

the process or circumstances in which a stimulus known to be effective as a reinforcer is presented independently of any particular behavior. Because contingencies may arise by accident (see accidental reinforcement), behavior-independent presentation of stimuli cannot guarantee that no contingency exists between a response and the stimuli. See reinforcement.