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Class 12 Education Chapter 5 (B) Attention and Interest
Selected Questions-Answers
A. Fill in the blanks: (Marks for each – 1)
1. — is mental preparation.
Ans: Attention.
2. The attention given during an examination is due to — cause of attention. H.S. ’17
Ans: Internal.
3. The attention given to a loud sound is — imposed.
Ans: Attention.
4. The word “Interest” is derived from a Latin word which means—.
Ans: A state in which a person is involved or related to a particular subject.
5. According to —, interest is a dynamic attitude.
Ans: James Drever.
6. The attention given because of the attractiveness of the stimulus is called — attention.
Ans: Involuntary.
7. The interest of an adolescent towards the opposite sex is called —interest.
Ans: Latent.
8. A mother’s interest towards her child is — interest.
Ans: Latent.
9. Our interest in the daily morning newspaper is — interest.
Ans: Temporary.
10. The intensity of a stimulus is a — cause of attention.
Ans: Objective.
11. Attention is a — process of the cognitive aspect.
Ans: Affective.
12. Novelty is a — cause of attention.
Ans: External.
13. Reward is a — cause of attention.
Ans: Internal.
14. Intensity, duration, movement, etc. are — causes of attention.
Ans: External.
15. “Interest is the latent state of attention and attention is the active state of interest,” — said this.
Ans: William McDougall.
16. In — attention, the stimulus has no effect.
Ans: Voluntary.
B. State whether True or False: (Marks for each – 1)
1. Attention is a mental process.
Ans: True.
2. Interest is a mental process.
Ans: True.
3. Mental health is necessary for giving attention.
Ans: True.
4. Contrast is an external cause of attention.
Ans: True.
5. Emotion has no effect on attention.
Ans: False.
6. Interest is a dynamic mental process.
Ans: True.
7. Attention is a purposive activity.
Ans: True.
8. Interest is free from social influence.
Ans: True.
9. Interest is a static mental process.
Ans: False.
10. Interest is always innate.
Ans: False.
11. Interest creates attention but attention does not create interest.
Ans: False.
12. While walking, it is not possible for us to be completely inattentive.
Ans: True.
13. Mental health is a condition of attention.
Ans: True.
C. Short Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 2)
1. What is acquired interest? H.S. ’18
Ans: Acquired interest refers to the interest that a person develops during the course of life as a result of learning, experience, training, etc. For example, interest in playing Ludo.
2. What is attention?
Ans: “Attention is the process by which a particular object of thought is made clear and distinct in the mind.” — William James.
3. What is spontaneous or voluntary attention?
Ans: When a person, without any external interference, deliberately directs attention to any object or subject in the environment, it is called spontaneous or voluntary attention.
4. What is interest?
Ans: When any object or subject in the environment becomes important to us and a mental relationship is established with it, that state is called interest.
5. Mention two characteristics of interest.
Ans: The two characteristics of interest are:
(a) Interest may be both innate and acquired.
(b) Interest differs from person to person.
6. What is meant by temporary interest?
Ans: Temporary interest refers to short-lived interest. It suddenly arises or increases and gradually changes with the passage of time. For example, the interest we have in reading the morning newspaper remains only for ashort time and disappears after reading it.
7. Why is attention called the selective activity of the mind? H.S.’15
Ans: Attention is called the selective activity of the mind because although we are conscious of many stimuli in the environment, the mind selects only one particularly attractive stimulus and focuses on it.
8. What is the span of attention?
Ans: The span of attention refers to the limited number of objects or stimuli to which a person can attend at a single moment. An adult can focus on approximately six dots at a time; therefore, the span of attention is said to be six.
9. Write two causes that attract attention.
Ans: The two causes that attract attention are:
(a) External or objective causes, and
(b) Internal or subjective causes.
10. What are the external or objective causes of attention?
Ans: The external or objective causes of attention are:
(a) Size or form, (b) Intensity, (c) Novelty, (d) Movement, and (e)Brightness.
11. Write two environmental causes of interest.
Ans: The two environmental causes of interest are:
(a) The attractiveness of the external educational environment creates interest in students.
(b) A calm and quiet environment creates interest in learning amongst students.
12. “We pay attention to a small spot on a white wall.” What is the reason?
Ans: We pay attention to a small spot on a white wall due to the objective condition of contrast in attention.
13. Mention any one environmental factor of interest.
Ans: Attractive stimuli in the environment.
D. Answer the questions in detail: (Marks for each – 4)
1. Explain the nature of analytical attention with examples. H.S.’15
Ans: Attention is the process by which an object of thought is made clear and distinct in the mind. When attention is focused after examining all aspects of an object or subject in detail, it is called analytical attention. In this type of attention, the object is not perceived as a whole; rather, its different parts and qualities are carefully analyzed. For example, while purchasing a piece of cloth, if a person considers its price, quality, colour, durability, and texture separately and carefully, such attention is analytical attention.
2. What is meant by sensory attention?
Ans: Sensory attention refers to the attention given to any material stimulus that creates sensation through our sense organs. For example, paying attention to a particular person or to his photograph is an instance of sensory attention.
3. Give two examples of ideational or conceptual attention. H.S. ’17
Ans: Paying attention to a person in his absence, without even having his picture, by merely imagining him in the mind is an example of ideational attention. Meditating upon God with closed eyes is also an example of ideational attention.
4. Why is interest called the latent state of attention? Explain.
Ans: Attention and interest are closely related. Attention acts as the vehicle of interest. Interest gives rise to attention, and attention expresses interest. Without attention, nothing can be learned, and without interest, attention cannot be properly directed. They are mutually dependent. Therefore, interest is called the latent state of attention. This idea was clearly expressed by William McDougall, who stated that interest is the latent state of attention and attention is the active state of interest.
5. What is voluntary attention? Give examples.
Or,
“Voluntary attention creates interest.” Explain. H.S. ’16
Ans: Voluntary attention is the type of attention in which the will-power of the mind is consciously applied. It is the deliberate attention given by an individual to an object or subject in the environment without external compulsion. This kind of attention arises from strong interest or desire. For example, students who have a strong desire to study can concentrate on their lessons despite obstacles. Thus, voluntary attention often leads to the development of deeper interest.
6. What are explicit or determined attention and implicit attention? Explain.
Ans: Determined or explicit attention is a form of voluntary attention that is given under the definite influence of environmental factors. In this case, real-life situations compel a person to attend deliberately. For example, when examinations approach, students are compelled to focus on their books; such attention depends on circumstances. Implicit attention, on the other hand, arises from a person’s inner will, interest, depth of knowledge, and close involvement with the subject. This type of attention does not easily change. For example, a person who loves acting naturally gives attention to drama.
7. “Interest and attention are two sides of the same coin.” Explain.
Or,
“The absence of attention implies the absence of interest.” Discuss. H.S. ’17, ’16
Ans: Interest and attention are inseparably related. To pay attention to a subject, one must have in terest in it. Similarly, we naturally pay attention to what interests us. Therefore, interest may be regarded as the primary internal cause of attention. Interest represents the inactive or latent mental state, whereas attention represents the active state. As stated by William McDougall, interest is the latent state of attention and attention is its active expression. Hence, the absence of attention indicates the absence of interest.
8. “A sleeping mother is not disturbed by loud noises outside, but she easily attends to the cry of her sick child.” What is the reason?
Ans: A mother’s affection for her child is instinctive. Here, an internal cause of attention is involved. Due to this biological tendency, the mother may ignore external loud sounds, yet she becomes immediately attentive to the cry of her sick child because of her deep emotional attachment.
9. Discuss the characteristics of attention.
Ans: Attention has several important characteristics:
(a) It is a selective process of the mind; a person attends only to the object of choice.
(b) It has cognitive, affective, and conative aspects.
(c) It is dynamic; attention shifts from one object to another.
(d) At a time, attention can be focused on only one object distinctly.
(e) New objects easily attract attention.
(f) Attention helps in better understanding of an object.
10. Discuss the educational importance of attention and interest. H.S. ’19
Ans: Interest and attention are indispensable in the process of learning. Without interest, attention cannot be properly directed; without attention, effective learning is impossible. The primary duty of a teacher is to create interest and attention in students toward their subjects. Interest generates attention and motivates action. Educational psychologists consider attention and interest as fundamental elements of education. They guide students toward the attainment of knowledge and objectives. Therefore, attention and interest are essential means of acquiring education.
11. Describe the different types of interest.
Ans: The different types of interest are:
(a) Innate or natural interest: This type of interest is instinctive and inborn. It cannot be developed through training. A child’s interest in play is an example.
(b) Acquired interest: This develops in relation to one’s attitudes, character, habits, and ideals. It arises from education and training. A doctor’s interest in patients or a businessman’s interest in customers are examples.
(c) Permanent interest: Sometimes acquired interest becomes stable and may continue throughout life. A poet’s lifelong interest in poetry is an example.
(d) Temporary interest: This type of interest is short-lived. It increases temporarily and changes with time. For example, the interest in buying new clothes during a festival disappears after the festival is over.
12. Discuss the role of the teacher in developing students’ interest and attention.
Or,
How can a teacher increase students’ attention in the classroom? H.S. ’15
Ans: The teacher plays a significant role in developing students’ interest and attention. The following measures may be adopted:
(a) Use of audio-visual aids: Attractive audio-visual materials can effectively draw students’ attention.
(b) Use of humour: Occasional humour can increase attention and create interest in the subject.
(c) Use of examples: Appropriate illustrations and analogies help students understand new concepts easily.
(d) Teacher’s personality: The teacher’s personality, behaviour, dress, and manner influence students’ attention.
(e) Avoidance of repetition: Repeating the same statement frequently may reduce attention; therefore, unnecessary repetition should be avoided.
13. What are the subjective causes of attention? Describe some of them.
Ans: There are several subjective or internal causes of attention:
(a) Interest: It is the chief subjective cause; without interest, attention cannot be sustained.
(b) Instinct: To satisfy instincts, we attend to various objects; curiosity leads us to learn new things.
(c) Emotion: Emotional states influence attention; during sorrow or joy, we become attentive to related stimuli.
(d) Attitude: Pre-existing attitudes determine what we attend to; a booklover will notice newly published books.
(e) Habit: Sometimes attention is given out of habit; for example, reading the newspaper every morning.
14. Why is attention considered an exploratory process? H.S. ’17
Ans: Through attention, a person’s curiosity about a subject is satisfied. It assists in investigation and discovery. The deeper the attention, the more refined the process of inquiry becomes, encouraging the discovery of facts. Therefore, attention is regarded as an exploratory process.
15. “Instinct is an important condition of attention.” Explain. H.S.’18
Ans: Instinct is considered an important internal condition of attention because it represents spontaneous tendencies. Due to instinctive drives, our attention is attracted to various objects, activities, or events. For example, amother’s affection for her child is instinctive. Hence, instinct is regarded as an important condition of attention.
16. “Interest is the pre-condition of attention.” Explain. H.S. ’15
Ans: Attention and interest are intimately related. Attention acts as the vehicle of interest. Interest creates attention, and attention expresses interest. Without attention, learning is impossible; without interest, attention cannot be directed. As they are mutually dependent, interest is called the pre-condition of attention.
17. Describe four objective factors of attention. H.S. ’17
Ans: The objective factors of attention include:
(a) Size: Objects larger than usual easily attract attention, such as large posters or advertisements.
(b) Intensity: Bright light or loud sound easily draws attention.
(c) Novelty: New objects naturally attract attention; hence people are curious about new places or ideas.
(d) Contrast: An unusual or contrasting object in the environment immediately attracts attention; for example, seeing a five-legged goat would instantly draw attention.
18. Explain analytical and synthetic attention with examples. H.S.’18
Ans: Attention is the process by which an object of thought is made clear and distinct in the mind. When attention is given after examining all aspects of an object separately and in detail, it is called analytical attention. For example, while buying cloth, considering its price, quality, and color separately is analytical attention. On the other hand, synthetic attention is the opposite of analytical attention. In this case, an object is perceived as a whole without analyzing its separate parts. For example, when observing a painting as a complete unit without focusing on its individual elements, it is synthetic attention.
19. What is interest? Write its characteristics. H.S. ’18
Ans: Interest is the mental state in which an object or subject becomes important to an individual and a psychological relationship is established with it.
The characteristics of interest are:
(a) Interest may be innate as well as acquired.
(b) It varies from person to person.
(c) It is changeable.
(d) Its scope may be broad or narrow.
(e) It reflects a person’s experience and cognitive development.
