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Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Measurement of Neurophysiological Signals of Ignoring and Attending Processes in Attention Control
Published on: July 5, 2015
Accounting for attention in sequential sampling models of decision making.
1Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Department of Economics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
People’s decision-making involves shifting attention, favoring options viewed longer and sooner. Sequential sampling models explain this, highlighting attention’s role in amplifying evidence for choices.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Decision Science
Background:
- Decision-making involves attention allocation between stimuli.
- Sequential sampling models posit evidence accumulation proportional to subjective value, amplified by attention.
- Prior research supports a causal link between attention and choice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of attention in decision-making.
- To explore factors influencing attention during choice.
- To examine attentional effects in various choice paradigms.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on attention and choice.
- Analysis of sequential sampling models.
- Discussion of findings from two-alternative, multi-attribute, and multi-alternative choice studies.
Main Results:
- Attention significantly influences choice outcomes.
- Attention is directed towards more salient or noisier stimuli in two-alternative choices.
- Higher-value options attract more attention in multi-alternative choices.
Conclusions:
- Attention is a critical component of the decision-making process.
- Understanding attentional drivers is key to refining choice models.
- Future research should further elucidate the interplay between attention and value in complex decisions.
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