Individual Differences in the Intensity and Consistency of Attention

Individual differences in attention abilities predict performance in a number of domains. We suggest that two aspects of attention are especially important for variation in attention abilities: intensity and consistency. We review evidence suggesting that individual differences in the amount of attention allocated to a task (intensity) and how consistently attention is allocated to a task (consistency) are related to each other and to overall task performance. We suggest that a number of factors (e.g., capacity, arousal, regulation, motivation) drive variation in intensity and consistency and demonstrate that these two aspects of attention are important in accounting for variation in working memory, learning, and preparatory control. Examining individual differences in both intensity and consistency will be important in order to understand variation in attention abilities in and out of the laboratory.