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Longitudinal Research

Longitudinal Research

Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Measuring Attention and Visual Processing Speed by Model-based Analysis of Temporal-order Judgments

Measuring Attention and Visual Processing Speed by Model-based Analysis of Temporal-order Judgments

Published on: January 23, 2017

Quantifying attention span across the lifespan.

Alexander J Simon^1,2,3, Courtney L Gallen^1,2,3, David A Ziegler^1,2,3

¹Neuroscape Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.

Frontiers in Cognition

|November 3, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces a new metric for attention span, measuring the longest duration of optimal focus during a task. Attention span varied by age, and declines were linked to inattention symptoms in children.

Keywords:

attention span attentional modeling continuous performance task (CPT)sustained attention vigilance decrement

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Last Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Measuring Attention and Visual Processing Speed by Model-based Analysis of Temporal-order Judgments

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Published on: January 23, 2017

Measuring Attentional Biases for Threat in Children and Adults

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Published on: October 19, 2014

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach

Published on: February 14, 2014

Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Neuroscience
Human Development

Background:

Traditional measures of sustained attention, like response time, do not capture the duration of optimal focus.
There is a need for objective metrics to quantify how long individuals can maintain attention over time.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and validate an objective measure of attention span.
To assess attention span across different age groups (children, young adults, older adults).
To explore the relationship between attention span and symptoms of inattention.

Main Methods:

Developed a novel attention span metric quantifying the maximum duration of an "in the zone" sustained attention state.
Utilized a continuous performance task to assess attention.
Recruited a diverse population of 262 individuals aged 7-85.

Main Results:

Attention span was found to be longest in young adults, shorter in children, and shortest in older adults.
Declines in attention span during task engagement correlated with clinical symptoms of inattention in children.
The developed metric demonstrated variability across the lifespan.

Conclusions:

Quantifying attention span provides a unique and meaningful assessment of sustained attention.
This metric is valuable for evaluating attention across the lifespan and in clinical populations with inattention.
The findings highlight age-related differences in attention span and its clinical relevance.