Prolonged expectancy is a great aid to holding the attention. The
element of curiosity is a great impelling force in the child and
even in adult life. This can be taken advantage of in prolonging the
attention.
The element of expectancy also affects the results of attention. The
thing you expect is the thing most easily found. If you wish to aid a
friend who is searching for a lost article you first learn as nearly
as possible just what it looks like, so that you may know what you are
expected to find.
=Exercise.=--In the following lines count all the 5s.
5 0 3 4 2 6 5 7 4 6 7 8 9 8 0 7 6 8 7 5 4 3 5 7 6 5 4 3 7
93758432657374596870234265834985672230986574
Notice how readily the other digits pass before your eyes in more
or less indistinct rows, but the 5s stand out more clearly. This is
caused by your expectancy, your attention is fixed upon this one digit
and cares nothing for others. Count the 9s and note the change of
expectancy. Use any selected letter in this paragraph for additional
practice.