Michael Posner

Cognitive Science United States 1936 101 quotes

American psychologist who researches attention networks in the brain.

Most quoted

"Attention is the taking possession by the mind, in clear and vivid form, of one out of what seem several simultaneously possible objects or trains of thought."

— from Book, 1980

"The default mode network is active during periods of mind-wandering and self-referential thought, and its interaction with attentional networks is complex."

— from NeuroImage, 2011

"The pursuit of knowledge in science is a continuous process of asking better questions and devising more sophisticated ways to answer them."

— from Keynote Address, 2012

All quotes by Michael Posner (101)

In cognitive science, every hypothesis is an attentional probe.

Interview 1987

The alerting system keeps us vigilant in an unpredictable world.

Book 2006

Wisdom is knowing when to sustain and when to disengage attention.

Speech 2013

Art imitates the selective nature of human perception.

Lecture 1991

Professional insight: Attention deficits are not lacks, but mismatches in network efficiency.

Paper 2008

Reflections on aging: The mind's networks endure, adapting with grace.

Memoir Excerpt 2020

Humor in science: Sometimes the best experiment fails spectacularly, teaching more than success.

Anecdote 1983

Key passage: The integration of sensory and cognitive systems forms the basis of awareness.

Book 1979

In correspondence: Let's not overlook the role of emotion in attentional orienting.

Letter 1993

Interview quote: Cognitive control evolves from childhood play to adult decision-making.

Interview 2003

Aphorism: Attention is the currency of the conscious mind.

Essay 1981

On meaning: True understanding requires sustained attentional engagement.

Personal Reflection 2014

Witty remark: If attention were easy, we'd all be experts at multitasking—oh wait, we're not.

Speech 1997

Professional observation: Neuroimaging illuminates the hidden dynamics of attention.

Paper 2019

Speech excerpt: The future of cognitive science lies in bridging brain and behavior.

Speech 1988

Philosophical musing: Is the self merely an attentional construct?

Book 2007

Life lesson: Cherish moments of flow, where attention and action unite.

Interview 2017

Artistic insight: Creativity blooms in the fertile ground of divided yet harmonious attention.

Essay 1994

Wisdom from experience: Patience in research mirrors patience in life—both yield discoveries.

Memoir 1976

Joke: Why did the neuron break up with attention? It needed more space to fire independently!

Conference Banter 2012