Wize University Psychology Textbook > Attention & Memory
Inattentional Blindness
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Inattentional Blindness
Inattentional Blindness - a failure to notice something unexpected in your surroundings because attention is focused elsewhere
We often think we are "taking it all in", but in reality our attention is focused on particular aspects of our surroundings. People can miss quite obvious or unusual things because they are not in the focus of attention.
In a classic inattentional blindness experiment, participants watch a video of people passing a basketball back and forth and are told to count the passes made by one team.
Most people completely fail to notice a person in a gorilla suit walk through the frame.
Mark Yourself Question
- Grab a piece of paper and try this problem yourself.
- When you're done, check the "I have answered this question" box below.
- View the solution and report whether you got it right or wrong.
Practice: Inattentional Blindness
What is inattentional blindness?