What concept describes the ability to keep the eyes still while shifting attention mentally?

The correct choice is associated with covert attention, which refers to the ability to focus on a specific stimulus or location in the environment without the need for corresponding eye movements. This concept is crucial in cognitive psychology as it highlights how attentional processes function independently of our visual fixation. When someone uses covert attention, they may maintain their gaze on one object while mentally shifting their focus to another, allowing for selective processing of information without overtly moving their eyes.

Understanding this concept is fundamental in studying attention and perception. For instance, a person might be able to notice an event happening in their periphery while staring at a fixed point, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of covert attention in managing visual and cognitive resources.