Final answer:
Selective attention is the process of focusing on specific stimuli while ignoring others, whereas sustained attention involves maintaining focus over time. The phenomenon is exemplified by the ability to engage in a conversation at a noisy party without being distracted by the background noise.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paying attention to certain things while tuning out others is the process of selective attention, and maintaining focus over time is the process of sustained attention. The correct answer to fill in the blanks is: a) Attention; concentration b) Sensation; perception c) Selective attention; sustained attention d) Distraction; vigilance. These attentional processes are essential for deciding what sensory information we attend to and process further versus what is ignored, which is crucial in everyday tasks and more complex cognitive functions such as learning and decision-making.
For example, when you are at a party, you may engage in a conversation with a friend and manage to ignore the background noise. This demonstrates selective attention. Conversely, if you are studying for an extended period without becoming distracted, you're utilizing sustained attention.
Studies in psychology have shown that our perception can be significantly influenced by attention. Notable experiments, such as the one conducted by Simons and Chabris, illustrate how attention directs our focus and can lead to inattentional blindness, where we fail to notice visible but unexpected objects when our attention is engaged elsewhere.