Attentional Blink
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
It refers to the phenomenon that when people rapidly identify a series of stimuli, if a second target appears within a short time (200-500 ms) after the first, people often fail to notice it. Because the brain is still processing the first target, attention temporarily closes like a blink.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Understanding the non-continuous nature of attention. The brain processes information serially, not in parallel. In high-monitoring tasks, a 'processing gap' must be allowed, otherwise critical signals will be missed.
Anchor fast decisions
In rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP), if two target stimuli are presented with a short interval (about 200–500 ms), participants often miss the second target because attention resources are not yet released after processing the first target, forming a brief 'blink' window.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/3Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attentional_blinkverified
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