Re: Week 9: 3/21-27 Question 2

2). Give a personal example where you have had selective attention. Why do you think that is? Is there a way you were able to overcome it?

In Harris and Sherblom’s text who say, “Choosing one message over another is called selective attention” (pp.137). The authors illustrate the message conveying by someone that I may choose to listen or pay attention. I absolutely agree with Harris and Sherblom’s ideas because they indicate five reasons for the selective attention that let us have more in-depth ideas covering this concept. For instance, Harris and Sherblom say, “Some things are more important” (pp.138). In this statement, the authors reveal some things are more important that let us choose message and attention over another. With respect of this concept, I want to share an example about the incoming calls that happened in my cellular phone in last August in class.

Last August, in the middle of the communication class, there were few incoming calls from Hong Kong appeared in my cellular phone. Under this issue, I selected to pick up the call outside of the classroom. This particular call came from my brother who told me that my father passed away in the hospital. After I hung up the phone, I told my professor that I could not carry on the lecture because of my grief. When I read the chapter 7, the selective attention, I fully understand the important things are the motivation to select our attention.

In terms of the above said example and the reasons for the selective attention by Harris and Sherblom, I still support that some things are more important can drive us to the selective attention in the middle of the class, at the office, publicity or the events.