Final answer:
Attention undergoes several changes during cognitive development, with improvements in selectivity, adaptability, and planfulness as a person ages. These changes are evident from early childhood to adulthood and are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cognitive Development and Changes in Attention
The development of attention is a dynamic process that occurs throughout a person's lifespan, with particular changes in selectivity, adaptability, and planfulness. From early childhood to adulthood, attention spans and the ability to focus on tasks at hand exhibit significant development, as evidenced by various stages identified in developmental psychology.
Selectivity
In early childhood, selective attention is less developed, which can be demonstrated by their lack of object permanence. As children grow, they become better at filtering irrelevant information and focusing on what is necessary for the task at hand. This ability continues to refine into adolescence and adulthood, where the selectivity in attention becomes comparable to adults.
Adaptability
Adaptability in attention refers to the ability to shift focus from one task to another or to adjust attention depending on task requirements. As individuals mature, they exhibit increased adaptability, which can be seen in the gradual improvement of cognitive flexibility in middle to late childhood and further enhancements during adolescence.
Planfulness
Planfulness involves the foresight and organization required to execute tasks efficiently. It develops as children age, with significant improvements noted as they acquire the understanding of past, present, and future, aiding them in goal-setting and planning. Adolescents continue to refine this aspect in their capacity for abstract thought and considering multiple perspectives in their planning.
Issues in developmental psychology often revolve around how these cognitive changes manifest and their interplay with factors such as genetics and environment, considering continuity vs. discontinuity and whether there is one course of development or many.