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MENTAL MODEL · M12028

Inattentional Blindness

Inattentional Blindness
Learn & MetacognitionHigh supportCognitive Psychology
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

When attention is focused on one thing, one may be 'blind' to other obvious things in the field of view—the famous 'invisible gorilla' experiment.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

The cost of attention. Focus has a cost; focusing on A may completely miss B—need to deliberately arrange a mechanism to 'look up'.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Inattentional blindness: When attention is focused on one thing, obvious stimuli can be ignored.

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Source support: Explicit

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