Which cognitive model suggests a dual-stage selection process for attention?

The Treisman's attenuation model is the correct choice because it proposes a dual-stage selection process for attention. This model suggests that when information is presented, initially, all incoming stimuli are processed to some degree. During this first stage, attention acts as a filter, but rather than completely blocking out unattended information, it attenuates or weakens it. This means that while the primary focus is on one particular stimulus (like a conversation you're engaged in), other stimuli (like background sounds) are still processed at a lower level. In the second stage of the model, further processing occurs based on the relevance of the information, allowing for a quick shift in attention if an unattended stimulus becomes significant or important.

Understanding the dual-stage selection process emphasizes how our attention works not just in an on/off manner but rather through a continuum of processing depth, which allows for more flexible responses to our environment. This stands in contrast to alternatives, such as Broadbent's filter model, which emphasizes a more rigid filtering approach where only one channel of information is fully processed at a time.