Measurement of Attention

New neuropsychological methods regarding the measurement of attention have been developed, which render the measurement of attention to be quite complex. These methods are related to different theoretical models of attention, and diverse aspects have been integrated into a neurocognitive model of attention. This neurocognitive framework involves separate but interacting brain areas, underlying the attentional functions of alerting, orienting (selection), and executive control (Fan, McCandliss, Sommer, Raz, & Posne 2002; Petersen & Posner, 2012; Posner & Petersen, 1990). There are many ways to measure attention.
Here, we focus on quantitative techniques that provide fine-grain information regarding attentive responses. An attentive response can be either measured directly in the brain or indirectly through a participant’s behavior. In this chapter, we will present some of the main instruments that allow the measurement of attention, with the idea in mind of a multidimensional construct. The first section will present the tests that are widely used in the assessment of attention, in particular visual attention, followed by some paradigms that measure sustained attention and auditory attention.