Final answer:
The three types of attention are sustained, selective, and divided attention. Selective attention is the most affected in older adults, especially when it comes to ignoring distractions and multitasking efficiently. Designing systems to support attention should take into account task complexity and mental resource requirements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Attention is a critical aspect of cognitive functioning, involving several types. The three types of attention are sustained attention, which is the ability to maintain focus on a task over a period of time; selective attention, which is the capacity to focus on a specific task while ignoring irrelevant stimuli; and divided attention, where attention is split between tasks that require simultaneous attention. In older adults, selective attention is commonly affected. With age, difficulties in ignoring irrelevant information and concentrating on specific stimuli increase, which can impact the ability to multitask effectively.
When designing systems to support attention, factors such as task complexity, the need for vigilance, and the ability to recognize signals in a noisy environment must be considered. Maintaining attention can be challenging, particularly for tasks that do not heavily utilize automated processes, known as heuristics, that reduce cognitive load. Enhanced mental resources may be necessary for high-attention activities, which can become physically taxing due to increased energy demands on the brain for glucose and oxygen.