Final answer:
Close attention is not an important factor in automatic processing, which is characterized by tasks that require little cognitive effort and can be performed on 'autopilot'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question seeks to identify which option does not play a significant role in automatic processing. Automatic processing involves tasks that we can perform without much cognitive effort, often because they are well-practiced and require the use of few cognitive resources.
Close attention, however, is not typically involved in automatic processing as this type of processing allows us to do things 'on autopilot' without consciously focusing on the task at hand. Therefore, it is the factor of close attention that is not essential for automatic processing. It is particularly noticeable when we engage in familiar activities such as commuting or doing household chores where we might not even remember the details of the activity afterward.