>[!quote] >Attention is the ability we have to discriminate and to focus only on that which we want to perceive. ([[Ruiz, 1997]]). >[!tip] In cognitive neuropsychology and rehabilitation > >[[Sohlberg & Mateer, 2001|Sohlberg & Mateer (2001)]] classify attention using a functional, assessment-oriented taxonomy: > >- **Sustained attention** is the ability to maintain focus over time (similar to vigilance). >- **Selective attention** is the ability to focus while suppressing distractors (as in canine training). >- **Alternating attention** is the ability to shift focus between tasks with different cognitive demands, as happens in [[context switching]]. >- **Divided attention** is the ability to attend to multiple tasks or stimuli simultaneously. >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): — >- **West** (similar): — >- **East** (different): — >- **South** (downstream): — ![[related.base|no-toolbar]]