The Key Difference Between Voluntary 'Top-Down' Attention and Automatic 'Bottom-Up

Question

The key difference between voluntary 'top-down' attention and automatic 'bottom-up' attention is:
A) You can consciously control automatic attention but not voluntary attention
B) You can consciously control voluntary attention but not automatic attention
C) Both voluntary and automatic attention are controlled by executive processes
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Voluntary or 'top-down' attention is under conscious control, allowing us to focus on specific aspects of our environment according to our goals or tasks. In contrast, automatic or 'bottom-up' attention is driven by external stimuli that grab our attention, such as sudden movements or loud noises, and is not under conscious control.