Which type of attention requires active selection among competing stimuli?

Focused attention is characterized by the ability to actively select and concentrate on specific stimuli while filtering out distractions from competing stimuli. This type of attention is essential in situations where there are multiple stimuli present, and one must hone in on a particular source of information.

For example, when listening to a friend in a noisy café, focused attention allows the listener to prioritize the friend's voice over background chatter and music. This skill is crucial for tasks requiring concentration on a single task or stimulus, making it a foundational component of effective communication and learning.

In contrast, divided attention involves processing multiple sources of information simultaneously, alternating attention refers to switching focus between tasks, and sustained attention refers to maintaining focus over a prolonged period. These other concepts do not specifically emphasize the active selection aspect that defines focused attention.