Attention and distraction: two sides of the same coin

Even when we are very focused on a task, certain stimuli can distract us and capture our attention, especially if they pose a danger to us.

A recent study by the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) in Spain shows that in this situation our brain increases its excitability. Thus, the neurons are prepared to act more quickly and react immediately to the threat.

We live in the midst of a multitude of stimuli, although thanks to our attention span we can filter what is important from what is not.

However, imagine that you are in your car driving. You have your full attention on this task. You look at the road, at the traffic lights, at the pedestrians… But, suddenly, your eyes wander uncontrollably towards a spider that is walking on the windshield: the spider has stolen your attention. These are the two types of attention we have: voluntary and involuntary.

Now, a team from the Department of Biological and Health Psychology at the Autonomous University of Madrid has shown that both voluntary and involuntary attention are triggered by a similar brain mechanism.

According to the results, this mechanism is based on an increase in neuronal excitability that is reflected in a decrease in the amplitude of the alpha rhythm, a type of wave that predominates in the areas of the brain specialized in receiving information from the environment.

“The increase in excitability is more pronounced in the face of stimuli with negative emotional content, such as the spider, which can be potentially dangerous,” explains Lydia Arana, the first author of the study.

“Thanks to this, the neurons are prepared to give a quick and adjusted response to the situation, even if it is at the cost of stealing attentional resources from the main task. For example, keeping an eye on the spider so that it doesn’t get too close, to crush it, or to stop the car and run away.”

A moose crossing a road full of vehicles. The animal in the distance can capture all our attention for a critical moment, distracting us from something important that is happening much closer and that affects us more. (Photo: NPS/Schonlau)

To reach their conclusions, the team conducted experiments with healthy volunteers in which their brain activity was recorded using electroencephalography (EEG) while they performed a numerical task on a computer screen (voluntary attention).

From time to time, on the opposite side of the screen, images with negative, positive or neutral emotional content appeared, in order to arouse involuntary attention.

Emotional images, especially negative ones, were the ones that generated the most distraction. In addition, the greater the degree of distraction, the worse the performance in the numerical task and the greater the decrease in the alpha rhythm.

This discovery is an important step in better understanding how our brains display attention and deal with distractions.

“The results of this study are even more important today, in the ‘age of distraction’, where we are constantly faced with endless stimuli that are difficult to ignore, such as WhatsApp notifications, emails or advertising,” says Almudena Capilla , full professor at the Faculty of Psychology of the UAM.

“Our brain – concludes the research team – is designed to direct attention to all these stimuli, especially if they evoke any emotion in us. But beware! Every distraction robs us of a bit of voluntary attention, and this is what allows us to successfully carry out day-to-day tasks.”

The study is titled “Suppression of alpha-band power underlies exogenous attention to emotional distractors.” And it has been published in the academic journal Psychophysiology. (Source: UAM)