Intention vs. Attention — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Intention and Attention
ADVERTISEMENT
Definitions
Intention
Intention is a mental state that represents a commitment to carrying out an action or actions in the future. Intention involves mental activities such as planning and forethought.
Attention
Attention is the behavioral and cognitive process of selectively concentrating on a discrete aspect of information, whether considered subjective or objective, while ignoring other perceivable information. William James (1890) wrote that "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.
Intention
A thing intended; an aim or plan
He announced his intention to stand for re-election
She was full of good intentions
Attention
Notice taken of someone or something; the regarding of someone or something as interesting or important
He drew attention to three spelling mistakes
Intention
The healing process of a wound.
ADVERTISEMENT
Attention
The action of dealing with or taking special care of someone or something
He was found guilty of failing to give a patient adequate medical attention
Her business needed her attention
Intention
Conceptions formed by directing the mind towards an object.
Attention
A position assumed by a soldier, standing very straight with the feet together and the arms straight down the sides of the body
Saunders stood stolidly to attention
Intention
The action or fact of intending
Are computers capable of intention?.
Attention
The act of close or careful observing or listening
You'll learn more if you pay attention in class.
ADVERTISEMENT
Intention
An aim that guides action; an objective
My intention is to learn Russian.
Attention
The ability or power to keep the mind on something; the ability to concentrate
We turned our attention to the poem's last stanza.
Intention
Intentions Purpose with respect to marriage
She worried that his intentions were not honorable.
Attention
Notice or observation
The billboard caught our attention.
Intention
(Medicine) The process by which or the manner in which a wound heals.
Attention
The act of dealing with something or someone; treatment
This injury requires immediate medical attention.
Intention
(Archaic) Import; meaning.
Attention
Acts of interest or interference
"men who wanted ... freedom from censorship and the attentions of the police" (John Kenneth Galbraith).
Intention
A course of action that a person intends to follow.
My intention was to marry a wealthy widow.
It’s easy to promise anything when you have no intention of fulfilling any of it.
Attention
Acts of consideration or courtesy, especially in an effort to win someone's affection or gain sexual favors
"She was almost giddy with disbelief at the unexpected attentions of a handsome, well-spoken, obviously professional man" (Rob Kantner).
Intention
The goal or purpose.
The intention of this legislation is to boost the economy.
Attention
A military posture, with the body erect, eyes to the front, arms at the sides, and heels together.
Intention
(obsolete) Tension; straining, stretching.
Attention
Used as a command to assume an erect military posture.
Intention
A stretching or bending of the mind toward an object or a purpose (an intent); closeness of application; fixedness of attention; earnestness.
Attention
(uncountable) Mental focus.
Please direct your attention to the following words.
Intention
(obsolete) The object toward which the thoughts are directed; end; aim.
Attention
(countable) An action or remark expressing concern for or interest in someone or something, especially romantic interest.
Intention
(obsolete) Any mental apprehension of an object.
Attention
A state of alertness in the standing position.
The company will now come to attention.
Intention
(medicine) The process of the healing of a wound.
Attention
A technique in neural networks that mimics cognitive attention, enhancing the important parts of the input data while giving less priority to the rest.
Intention
To intend.
Attention
(military) Used as a command to bring soldiers to the attention position.
Intention
A stretching or bending of the mind toward an object; closeness of application; fixedness of attention; earnestness.
Intention is when the mind, with great earnestness, and of choice, fixes its view on any idea.
Attention
A call for people to be quiet/stop doing what they are presently doing and pay heed to what they are to be told or shown.
Intention
A determination to act in a certain way or to do a certain thing; purpose; design; as, an intention to go to New York.
Hell is paved with good intentions.
Attention
The act or state of attending or heeding; the application of the mind to any object of sense, representation, or thought; notice; exclusive or special consideration; earnest consideration, thought, or regard; obedient or affectionate heed; the supposed power or faculty of attending.
They say the tongues of dying menEnforce attention like deep harmony.
Intention
The object toward which the thoughts are directed; end; aim.
In [chronical distempers], the principal intention is to restore the tone of the solid parts.
Attention
An act of civility or courtesy; care for the comfort and pleasure of others; as, attentions paid to a stranger.
Intention
The state of being strained. See Intension.
Attention
The process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
Intention
Any mental apprehension of an object.
Attention
The work of caring for or attending to someone or something;
No medical care was required
The old car needed constant attention
Intention
An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;
His intent was to provide a new translation
Good intentions are not enough
It was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs
He made no secret of his designs
Attention
A general interest that leads people to want to know more;
She was the center of attention
Intention
(usually plural) the goal with respect to a marriage proposal;
His intentions are entirely honorable
Attention
A courteous act indicating affection;
She tried to win his heart with her many attentions
Intention
An act of intending; a volition that you intend to carry out;
My intention changed once I saw her
Attention
The faculty or power of mental concentration;
Keeping track of all the details requires your complete attention
Attention
A motionless erect stance with arms at the sides and feet together; assumed by military personnel during drill or review;
The troops stood at attention
