Discuss and critically evaluate the ecological validity of research into behaviours that distract drivers from paying attention to the road.
Driving is a complex task that involves the coordination of many cognitive systems such as perception, attention, motor control, working memory and decision making. This means that while driving we must be able to process activity on the road using our mirrors and instrument displays, process sounds of vehicles around us, look out for pedestrians and test the stability of our own vehicles, while combining numerous motor skills like using the steering, brakes and accelerator (Cheour, 2011). Based on this one is able to conclude that being focused on so many tasks means that attention is of key importance. This essay aims to discuss and critically evaluate the ecological validity of research into behaviours that distract drivers from paying attention to the road. To understand how drivers may become distracted I will first define a few concepts relating to attention.
Attention refers to the process of concentrating on specific thoughts and information in our environment. For the purpose of this essay the focus will be on two types of attention, selective attention and divided attention (Goldstein, 2011). Selective attention refers to the focus of a specific task or input to the exclusion of others. Divided attention refers to the focus on one or more tasks or inputs at the same time (Goldstein, 2011). Attention can be unpacked further with covert and overt attention. Covert attention refers to the focus on shifted movement without moving the eyes. Overt attention refers to focus of attention using eye movement and perception (Goldstein, 2011).
Another example that explains the concept of selective attention: Driving along a quite country road focused on the view ahead when suddenly a wild animal jumps into your path. Your attention would shift from the road ahead to the animal in your path. In order to discuss these concepts in relation to research into behaviours that distract drivers from paying attention to the road, we first need to identify the problems
Attention refers to the process of concentrating on specific thoughts and information in our environment. For the purpose of this essay the focus will be on two types of attention, selective attention and divided attention (Goldstein, 2011). Selective attention refers to the focus of a specific task or input to the exclusion of others. Divided attention refers to the focus on one or more tasks or inputs at the same time (Goldstein, 2011). Attention can be unpacked further with covert and overt attention. Covert attention refers to the focus on shifted movement without moving the eyes. Overt attention refers to focus of attention using eye movement and perception (Goldstein, 2011).
Another example that explains the concept of selective attention: Driving along a quite country road focused on the view ahead when suddenly a wild animal jumps into your path. Your attention would shift from the road ahead to the animal in your path. In order to discuss these concepts in relation to research into behaviours that distract drivers from paying attention to the road, we first need to identify the problems