Attentional Literacy Audit

Attention, Media and the Modern Mind

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Participant Information

This Attentional Literacy Audit explores how everyday environments and media shape patterns of attention. The instrument forms part of an independent research and educational project associated with the book Attention, Media and the Modern Mind.

The questionnaire asks about everyday experiences of focus, distraction, immersion, and media use. It typically takes around 5 minutes to complete.

Participation is voluntary. You may stop the questionnaire at any time before submitting your responses.

Responses are stored anonymously and analysed only in aggregated form to better understand contemporary attentional environments.

If you choose to provide an email address, it will only be used to send your personal results report.

The project follows the ethical principles outlined in the British Psychological Society Code of Human Research Ethics.

Research lead: Dr S. J. Hinde
Contact: author@attentionmediamodernmind.co.uk

Please respond to each statement using the scale below.
1 = Strongly Disagree     5 = Strongly Agree

Environmental Design

12345
Strongly Disagree Neutral Strongly Agree
My primary workspace is free from interruptions.
Notifications are limited during focused work.
I can predict when interruptions will occur.
My environment supports continuity.
Unexpected interruptions frequently break my concentration.

Restart Frequency

12345
Strongly Disagree Neutral Strongly Agree
I complete tasks before switching.
I avoid checking messages mid-task.
I do not open new tabs impulsively.
I sustain focus for 20+ minutes.
I often abandon tasks before they are complete.

Depth vs Sampling

12345
Strongly Disagree Neutral Strongly Agree
I engage in long-form reading.
I watch long-form media without using a parallel device.
I tolerate slow unfolding.
I feel comfortable with silence.
I lose patience when ideas unfold slowly.

Reactive Mode

12345
Strongly Disagree Neutral Strongly Agree
My attention is pulled by notifications.
I feel alert but scattered.
I check devices reflexively.
I consume short-form media daily.
I rarely feel pulled by external signals.

Carried Mode

12345
Strongly Disagree Neutral Strongly Agree
I become absorbed in books or films.
Time passes unnoticed during immersion.
I seek coherent experiences.
I prefer depth over fragmentation.
I struggle to stay immersed in books or films.

Fragmented Mode

12345
Strongly Disagree Neutral Strongly Agree
I switch platforms frequently.
I consume information in short bursts.
I struggle to return after an interruption.
I feel cognitively noisy.
I can easily return to a task after interruptions.

Boredom Susceptibility

12345
Strongly Disagree Neutral Strongly Agree
I often feel restless when tasks fail to hold my attention.
When an activity becomes predictable my attention quickly drifts.
I sometimes feel under-stimulated even when there is something to do.
Periods of boredom often prompt me to seek something new.
I rarely feel bored when engaged in routine activities.

Mind Wandering

12345
Strongly Disagree Neutral Strongly Agree
My thoughts often wander away from what I am currently doing.
I frequently find myself thinking about unrelated ideas during tasks.
My attention sometimes shifts to memories or plans without intending to.
I occasionally lose track of what I was doing because my thoughts drift.
My attention usually stays on the task I am performing.

Absorption

12345
Strongly Disagree Neutral Strongly Agree
I sometimes enjoy letting my thoughts drift while remaining relaxed.
Quiet moments often lead to reflective or imaginative thinking.
When walking or resting my mind often explores ideas freely.
I occasionally notice new insights emerging during relaxed attention.
Quiet moments rarely lead to reflective thinking.

Attention Check

12345
Strongly Disagree Neutral Strongly Agree
To confirm that you are reading the items carefully, please select Strongly Agree for this statement.

(This item is used only to ensure response quality.)

Email (Optional)

If you would like your personalised report emailed to you, enter your email below.