Week 9, Post #2
2). Give a personal example where you have had selective attention. Why do you think that is? Is there a way you were able to overcome it?
Usually when I have had selective attention it is in class or when my parents are lecturing me about something. My parents have great intentions, but sometimes they go on forever about something that should have only taken thirty seconds to say. An example of when I had selective attention was this one time in my freshman year of high school when my mom was trying to explain to me how to set-up the new sprinkler system. She was explaining to me the way the system worked and how to set the timer and do everything. I had already gotten the same lesson from my dad, but my mom insisted on showing me again. I didn't pay attention at all, I just paid enough attention so that I could respond with a "yeah" or a "got it" from time to time so she thought I was listening and paying attention. I think the reason why I had selective attention in this specific situation was because I had already learned how to set-up the sprinkler system, and I didn't need to hear it again. Also, I was a moody teenager and hated being lectured by my parents about anything, whether I was in trouble or not. The only way to overcome these type of situations is to physically make yourself pay attention and not get distracted by anything else. Eye contact helps me pay attention to something, even if I really don't want to pay attention. As long as I am making eye contact I force myself to listen and pay attention.
Hey Raya,
ReplyDeleteGood example! My dad tends to ramble when he speaks to me, or repeat himself constantly. This makes it difficult for me to want to listen. His pattern in repetition has trained me to know when to listen and when not to. I also have a friend who I deal with through my fraternity that rambles for days. Everyone has learned to listen in the very beginning, and then tune him out. Most of the important information he says is in the very beginning of his statement, then he rambles as he attempts to support his stance. Most of the time he doesn’t need to support it, as the statement has enough support in it. Selective attention is a fascinating thing!