An adjustable wave model for attention restoration

Attention Restoration Theory has provided a framework for investigating how experiencing natural scenes can be especially helpful in overcoming attentional fatigue. If the structure of attention were better understood, it might facilitate experimental investigations of this theory and possibly expand its domain. The present paper reviews experiments that demonstrate that sustained focal attention is characterized by 3–8 Hz. oscillations that are interpreted as temporally sampling the environment. A traveling wave model is proposed as a generalization of this finding for distributed attention in which there is sampling of the environment over both time and space. Temporal and spatial sampling frequencies are assumed to be adjustable together from low to high. This model provides a frequency based interpretation of Attention Restoration Theory. Low frequency attention waves can occur in expansive natural environments with slow temporal rhythms and fractal structure and are restorative. In contrast, high frequency attention waves can occur in modern technological environments with high event rates and are fatiguing. This model of distributed attention will be helpful in researching attention restoration in relation to the spatio-temporal frequency content of natural and constructed environments. Attention restoration is discussed in the context of monitoring and vehicular control tasks, attentional aspects of religious practice, and music.