Synonyms
Definition
Attention span refers to an individual’s ability to attend to a stimulus or object over a period of time. This ability is also known as sustained attention or vigilance.
Description
Attention includes a number of components, one of which, attention span, is the ability to maintain focus and alertness over a period of time. Sustained attention requires persistence and motivation [2]. Thus, individuals with short attention spans may appear to give up or not put sufficient effort into tasks. Attention span increases with age, and is related to, and plays a role in other aspects of functioning including learning, memory, academic performance, and the understanding and processing of large quantities of information [1, 3].
Research has shown that a child’s sustained attention develops in a linear fashion until the age of four, but then undergoes a dramatic increase between the ages of 4 and 6 years [1]. Between the ages of 7 and 8 years...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Barkley, R. A. (1997). Behavioral inhibition, sustained attention, and executive function: Constructing a unified theory of ADHD. Psychological Bulletin, 121(1), 65–94.
Bennett Murphy, L., Murphy, E. C., & Rose, C. L. (2001). Sustained attention and unintentional injury among preschool-aged children. Child Neuropsychology, 7(2), 72–83.
Betts, J., Mckay, J., Maruff, P., & Anderson, V. (2006). The Development of sustained attention in children: The effect of age and task load. Child Neuropsychology, 12, 205–221.
Christakis, D. A., Zimmerman, F. J., DiGiuseppe, D. L., & McCarty, C. A. (2004). Early television exposure and subsequent attention problems in children. Pediatrics, 113, 708–713.
DeShazo Barry, T., Grofer Klinger, L., Lyman, R. D., Bush, D., & Hawkins, L. (2001). Visual selective attention versus sustained attention in boys with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Attention Disorders, 4(4), 193–202.
Rose, C. L., Murphy, L. B., Schickedantz, B., & Tucci, J. (2001). The effects of event rate and signal probability on children’s vigilance. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 23(2), 215–224.
Ruff, H. A., & Capozzoli, M. C. (2003). Development of attention and distractibility in the first 4 years of life. Developmental Psychology, 39(5), 877–890.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this entry
Cite this entry
Levin, E., Bernier, J. (2011). Attention Span. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_226
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_226
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-77579-1
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-79061-9
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science