If you were working on something at your computer and a gorilla floated across your computer screen, would you notice it?
You would like to think yes, however, research shows that people often miss such events when engaged in a difficult task. This is a phenomenon known as inattentional blindness (IB). In a new study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) in Boston, researchers have found that even expert searchers, operating in their domain of expertise, are vulnerable to inattentional blindness. This study published this week Psychological Science.
“When engaged in a demanding task, attention can act like a set of blinders, making it possible for stimuli to pass, undetected, right in front of our eyes,” explained Trafton Drew, PhD, post-doctoral researcher at BWH and lead author on this study. “We found that even experts are vulnerable to this phenomenon.”
The researchers asked 24 radiologists to perform a familiar lung nodule detection task. They examined five scans; each scan contained an average of 10 nodules. A gorilla, 48 times larger than the average nodule, was inserted in the last scan. The researchers found that 83 percent of radiologists did not report seeing the gorilla. With the help of Melissa Le-Hoa Vo, post-doctoral researcher at BWH, the researchers tracked the eye-movements of the radiologists and found that that the majority of those who missed the gorilla looked directly at it.
“The radiologists missed the gorillas not because they could not see them, but because the way their brains had framed what they were doing. They were looking for cancer nodules, not gorillas,” explained Jeremy Wolfe, senior psychologist and director of the Visual Attention Laboratory at BWH. “This study helps illustrate that what we become focused on becomes the center of our world, and it shapes what we can and cannot see.”
The Latest Bing News on:
Inattentional blindness
- New farm safety campaignon April 24, 2024 at 12:47 am
SA Power Networks has recently launched a new advertising campaign aimed at reducing the risk to farmers from power lines [...] ...
- LIVING IN FLIP-FLOPS: A journey of self-expressionon April 22, 2024 at 11:01 am
And if someone does happen to notice and compliment you, consider it a pleasant surprise rather than an expectation, reinforcing your self-assurance. It’s a feeling of liberation and contentment that ...
- How Embracing Your ADHD Can Unlock A Calmer And More Productive Work Lifeon April 15, 2024 at 5:30 am
Struggling with ADHD? Here's how embracing it and learning about what your brain really needs to thrive can help you feel calmer, more focused and more productive.
- Is ADHD really being overdiagnosed – or finally just understood?on April 15, 2024 at 5:29 am
Fitness guru Joe Wicks has come under fire for suggesting ADHD could be caused by eating Ultra Processed Foods. But neurodiversity is much more complicated and requites proper support, writes Eleanor ...
- AAA urges drivers to tune out distractions during Distracted Driving Awareness Month in Aprilon April 13, 2024 at 9:49 pm
Every year, thousands lose their lives on America’s roadways because a driver diverted their attention away from the road. Unfortunately, even a few seconds of inattentiveness can yield deadly results ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Inattentional blindness
[google_news title=”” keyword=”inattentional blindness” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Attention focus
- After aid to Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, will the US focus on border security?on April 27, 2024 at 7:00 pm
On this week’s “Colorado Point of View,” U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet discusses the foreign war aid measure and answers the question: Is it now time for the U.S. to focus on the ...
- Attention pet owners: Get smart on these new lawson April 26, 2024 at 5:18 am
The latest: A measure to require pet care and boarding facilities to notify all clients about an infectious disease outbreak, such as respiratory illnesses, canine leptospirosis or feline leukemia ...
- Eric Frydenlund: Solar eclipse shows need to focus on here and nowon April 26, 2024 at 5:00 am
In a world filled with distractions, it’s easy to lose our focus. We concentrate on the latest sensation, rather than on what’s truly important.
- Altria Group's Market Share Woes Warrant Attentionon April 26, 2024 at 4:59 am
Altria Group's management is reducing debt and buying back stock, but caution is still warranted. Read more to see my analysis on MO stock.
- Yonkers event calls attention to disparities' impact on Black maternal healthon April 25, 2024 at 12:01 am
The stress of just living with everyday racism,” Dr. Uché Blackstock says, “causes a wear and tear on our bodies..." ...
- Zendaya's Challengers Kissing Scenes Attract ‘Abnormal' Attentionon April 24, 2024 at 6:32 am
Zendaya's Challengers kissing scenes continue to be a much-discussed topic among fans of the star. Despite a delay in the film’s release, the conversation about her viral kissing moment in Challengers ...
- Marketing 2.0: AI's Role In Capturing Consumers' Attentionon April 24, 2024 at 5:29 am
In today's competitive landscape, these brands must rethink their marketing strategies to effectively address distracted consumers and soaring customer acquisition costs.
- Who Is Shai Davidai? The Columbia Professor Protesting Protesterson April 23, 2024 at 12:35 pm
Columbia Business School assistant professor Shai Davidai has courted attention and controversy for his opposition to Pro-Palestinian protesters on campus.
- The Use of “Attention Capture” Technologies in Our Classrooms Has Created a Crisison April 22, 2024 at 2:30 am
We can allow Big Tech to solve the problem with invasive brain technology. Or we can let educators teach students how to pay attention.
- Treasuries Just Gave You A Rate Hike Whether You Like It Or Not!on April 16, 2024 at 11:44 am
The bond market has a different take on it. While not a direct proxy of the Fed or what it will do, long-term Treasury yields usually have a good read on where things are headed. Suffice it to say, if ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Attention focus
[google_news title=”” keyword=”attention focus” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]