Cognitive Scaffold

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MENTAL MODEL · M4444

Attentional Blink

Attentional Blink
Learn & MetacognitionHigh supportCognitive Psychology
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

When two target stimuli are presented in rapid succession, if the time interval is too short (200-500 milliseconds), the observer will miss the second target even though it is fully visible.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

It quantifies the "refractory period" of attention. It shows that conscious processing requires time to integrate; in high-speed information streams (such as rapid decision-making, emergency response), we must deliberately slow down or process in batches to avoid omissions caused by the "blink."

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Anchor fast decisions

Attentional blink is the same phenomenon as attentional blink: in a rapidly presented stream of stimuli, after successfully identifying the first target, detection of the second target immediately following it is significantly reduced for several hundred milliseconds.

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attentional_blinkZH · Explicit
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