Inattentional Blindness

Definition

Inattentional blindness is a phenomenon where individuals fail to notice an obvious stimulus in their environment because they are focused on something else. It occurs when attention is so concentrated on one task or object that other stimuli, even if they are prominent, go unnoticed.

Example

Researchers conducted a study in which, in the middle of the basketball game, someone dressed in a gorilla costume walks onto the court, stands in the center, and waves at the camera for several seconds before walking off. The participants had been given a task of counting the number of times the ball was passed among team members. Despite looking directly at the scene, many people did notice the gorilla because their attention was entirely focused on the basketball players.

Why it Matters

Inattentional blindness matters because it highlights how human perception can be limited by our focus. It demonstrates that even when we are actively observing a situation, we may miss important details if our attention is elsewhere. This concept has implications for real-world scenarios, such as driving, where failing to notice an object or hazard due to distraction can lead to accidents. Understanding inattentional blindness helps us recognize the importance of maintaining situational awareness and being mindful of potential blind spots in our attention.

See Also

• Selective Attention
• Sensation
• Perception