Attenuation theory

Attenuation theory, also known as Treisman's attenuation model, is a theory of selective attention proposed by psychologist Anne Treisman that explains how the mind processes sensory input by weakening (attenuating) unattended stimuli rather than fully blocking them. It suggests that all incoming information is analyzed to some extent, but irrelevant inputs are reduced in strength, allowing only those with sufficient significance after attenuation to reach conscious awareness through a layered process. Developed as a revision of Donald Broadbent's filter model—which proposed a strict barrier to unattended stimuli—Treisman’s theory addressed cases where ignored information still broke through, adding nuance to how attention operates and influencing later research on the subject.