--GC Wk1 Watch (2) Video Clips: "Selective Attention" (1:21 min.) and "Monkey Business" (1:42 min.)

  • Due Jan 18 by 11:59pm
  • Points None

Many Ways to See the World:
Selective Attention

Anthropological analytical skills include careful observation of behavior. We will be visiting many parts of the globe as we go along in the course—so you will have lots of opportunities to practice your observational skills.

One of the five main characteristics of American Anthropology is fieldwork, "a primary research technique, involving “participant observation," which usually means living among the people one is interested in learning from and about. And fieldwork, almost above everything else, requires attentive observation and recording of information.

Much of what we are going to do for the rest of the semester is "fieldwork" via video materials from around the world. Before we get into the video-intensive part of the course (towards the middle and end), take the Selective Attention Test (below) developed by Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris. This should give you a little insight into the nature of observing—which lies at the very heart of anthropological fieldwork.

So this week take the two short minute-and-a-half tests of your observational skills before you continue your intensive look at the wide variety of Global Cultures video materials that we will be viewing and re-viewing virtually every week of the semester. You should take those short tests this week.
See also "An Important Note on Videos and Visual Anthropology"


Instructions

First, take the . . .

Selective Attention Tests Below

Read and follow the directions carefully.
(Be sure to also count the bounce passes.)

Image of a Group of Young People Passing a Basketball Around. Some are Dressed in White, Others in Black.

Be sure to try your very best to follow the instructions.

(It's short, less than a minute and a half).

Selective Attention Test 1 Links to an external site.

Red Arrow Pointing Up.

When you are finished with the Selective Attention Test, watch . . .

The Monkey Business Illusion

Young People Passing a Basketball around. Some Dressed in White T-shirts, and Some in Black

(It too is short: 1:42)

Again, read and follow the directions carefully.

(And as with The Selective Attention Test, be sure to also count the bounce passes.)

Selective Attention Test 2 Links to an external site.

Red Arrow Pointing Up.

After You Take the Tests

After you have taken Simon and Chabris' tests, think about how what you learned from them about perception might be applied as you view the videos for the rest of the semester as well as the cultural behaviors in real life as you roam the world thereafter.


The main purpose of this exercise is to sensitize you to the fact that everyone views things selectively—”quite naturally, and maybe even by necessity. And one's culture plays a huge role in what one "sees" and focuses on (and what one doesn't see and focus on). American men, for e.g., most often do not "see" many details of clothing, color, and personal stylistic adornment (read hair styles, nail treatment, cosmetic adornments and the like).

To view things as a trained observer as anthropologists must do when they're in the field "doing" anthropology one must almost constantly be aware of this natural / cultural tendency to perceive things selectively, and try to compensate for it by paying attention to items not otherwise selected for, while at the same time being careful "not to miss anything".

Hopefully, this exercise will make you just a little more critical in the way you look at things—”and especially the class videos—”for the rest of the semester (and maybe even for the rest of your life, for that matter).

You are not expected anything to submit anything—no reaction, or report, or forum posting. This is a "re-vision" activity, and it should benefit you in performing well in the exams and overall for the course. And hopefully it will also help on your way to having a genuine anthropological perspective on life in general.

Other Materials from Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons . . .

"Demonstrations, videos from our research, videos of us speaking, etc. Dan's YouTube Channel Links to an external site. includes most of these videos as well as favorites from around the web that are related to or mentioned in our book. You can view more videos on his personal website Links to an external site.."

 The Invisible Gorilla Links to an external site.

The Book . . .

 The Invisible Gorilla Book
. . . discusses six "everyday illusions" . . .

1. The Illusion of Attention
("Inattentional Blindness Links to an external site.")
2. The Illusion of Memory
3. The Illusion of Confidence
4. The Illusion of Knowledge
5. The Illusion of Cause
6. The Illusion of Potential
 

Wikipedia: Links to an external site.

 

Other Works of Interest

1737266399 01/18/2025 11:59pm