The attention schema theory: a mechanistic account of subjective awareness
Frontiers in Psychology July 4, 2016 Taylor W. Webb, Michael S A Graziano
The attention schema theory proposes that subjective awareness arises from the brain constructing a simplified internal model of its own attention process, similar to how it builds a body schema. This model helps improve top-down control of attention by providing the brain with a useful abstraction of how attention works. The theory accounts for dissociations between awareness and attention, explains awareness of both internal and external events, and makes testable predictions—such as that attention without awareness should show control deficits. The authors review evidence suggesting these predictions are supported.