Sensation, Perception, and Attention

A paper written in collaboration of Daniel Scroggs, Crystal Swarmer, Elizabeth Lopez, and Stephanie Sexton.

Sensation, Perception, and Attention Paper

Sensation, perception, and attention are important in order to effectively understand and learn in any aspect of life. It is especially important when working in an online team. In order to develop a better understanding of how sensation, perception, and attention affect the team, we spoke about our individual threshold for auditory stimuli, dichotic listening, and dividing our attention when working on assignments. In addition, we spoke about different problems that may hinder our team while communicating, along with problems that may affect work in our individual environments. In order to avoid developing problems within the team, we have developed a set a guidelines that will allow the team to work effectively. Learning the differences of sensation, perception, attention each team member holds will allow the entire team to construct assignments with ease, along with developing a better sense of each team member. 

Individual Environmental Preference

The type of environment that allows each team member to work with ease on assignments depends on the team member preference. During our discussion, we spoke about each team members preferred working environment. Stephanie, Crystal, and Elizabeth prefer to work in an environment with very little auditory stimuli. They tend to become distracted easily. However, Dan prefers to work with low levels of auditory stimuli. Low levels of auditory stimuli in Dan’s  working environment allow him to work and collaborate with team members effectively. The different auditory stimuli each team member prefers may be a result of the environments that are most comforting to them. For instance, if Stephanie, Crystal, and Elizabeth are normally in a quite setting, studying or collaborating with team members would be more successful in a quite setting. If Dan is more comfortable with a low level of auditory stimuli, then incorporating low levels of auditory stimuli into his working environment would be beneficial. Each team member prefers to work with different factors present in their working environment. In fact, Dan suggests background noises in his home; while he is working because it has been his norm for so long, it is somewhat necessary to his daily functioning. In order to allow the team to create assignments easily and appropriately, each team member should create their preferred working environment when meeting with team members, and while working on assignments.

Individual Threshold For Auditory Stimuli

Each team member has a different threshold for auditory stimuli. Stephanie and Dan are able to hear small noises in a quiet room. For example, if the faucet were dripping down the hall, Stephanie and Dan would be tortured by the noise until they turned the faucet off. Crystal’s threshold for auditory stimuli is different. She can only hear certain decibels of sound. If someone talks to her below that level, she will not be able to hear what they are saying. Elizabeth also has a high threshold for auditory stimuli. Understanding each team member’s threshold for auditory stimuli allows the team member to create an environment at home the will benefit the team.  

Dichotic Listening

The discovery of the dichotic listening test was the result of “Broadbent want[ing] to see how people were able to focus their attention (selectively attend), and to do this he deliberately overloaded them with stimuli - they had too many signals, too much information to process at the same time” (McLeod, 2008). During dichotic listening, a person is able to focus their attention on one person as they are talking and drowned out the conversations of the people surrounding them.  This theory led to the development of the dichotic listening task. “Results from this research led Broadbent to produce his 'filter' model of how selective attention operates” (McLeod, 2008). In this model, Broadbent points out that all input is filtered “based on physical characteristics” (McLeod, 2008).  Therefore, if a person is listening to a conversation they are interested in or required to listen to, their brains will focus on that particular information and drowned out other pieces of information. Stephanie and Dan are able to perform this task. However, Crystal and Elizabeth are unable to perform this task.

The Division of Attention

Dividing attention facilitates our learning experience as a whole.  Dividing the assignments has worked well for several reasons. More material can be covered in less time, which will free up some people to help other team members that may need help. In addition,  if each team member concentrates on one thing, the team is able to stay focused and get the assignment finished by the due date. The leadership role may change depending on the assignment. Each team member is able to contribute different, yet creative information. Therefore, if we are studying a topic that one team member may understand a little better, that team member is able to lead the other members to create the assignment.  Because some members need to wait until the kids go to bed, and some team members prefer to work on assignments during the week, dividing assignments evenly amongst the team aids in the success of the team. Being on  a team is all about team work, and more success  is found within  teams that divide and conquer. For instance, if members are able to perform the tasks that are given to them, the team as whole will be successful.  

Problems in Environmental Settings

Problems include any distractions, while at home working on assignments or collaborating with team members, or misunderstanding any conversations being posting online. For instance, Stephanie, Crystal, and Elizabeth are unable to work on assignments or collaborate with team members if there is too much noise in a room. However, Dan prefers to have auditory stimuli while he is working. Other problems may result from misunderstanding information or not communicating information properly. For instance, the use of all caps should not be used because this action could be misunderstood and perceived as disrespectful. In order to avoid problems, team members should study and communicate with other team members in their preferred working environments. In addition, team members should double check the information they are posting in order to make sure their post will not be read the wrong way. In addition, paying attention to time management will ensure the success of the team. Following these basic guidelines will allow the team to work effectively on assignments and create creative papers to submit to the instructor. 

Conclusion

Being in an online team requires each member to accommodate other members of the team. Understanding individual environmental preferences allows each team member to create this environment while communicating and studying in order to produce the perfect assignment. In addition, understanding each team member’s threshold for auditory stimuli allows the team to create the proper learning environment for our team. Understanding each member ability to perform dichotic listening also helps create the proper learning environment for our team. Collaborating with team member has led to the discovery of distributing assignments to individual team member in order to cover more information in a short period. Because we were able to discuss our different preferences in learning environments, the team has developed guidelines in order to accommodate each members needs. These guidelines consist of creating the prefer learning environment at home, being respectful, double checking information before submitting it, and paying close attention to time management. If we are able to follow these guidelines, the team will be successful.

References

Kowalski, R., & Westen, D. (2011). Psychology (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

McLeod, S. A. (2008). Simply Psychology; Retrieved: March 5, 2012, from http://www.simplypsychology.org/attention-models.html

Plagiarism:

Using someone else's work without giving proper credit, is plagiarism. If you use our work, please reference it.