Inattentional blindness (IA) is when people cannot see something right before them because they are preoccupied with something else. IA is most common in adults but can also affect children and young adults. IA can affect people of any age but is most common in adults aged between 18 and 55.
There are several ways that IA can affect people. One common form of IA is ‘intentional blindness’, when people cannot see something right before them because they are too busy looking at something else. Inattentional blindness can happen when people try to listen to a conversation, drive a car, or read a book.
In another form of IA, called ‘preoccupied blindness,’ people cannot see something because they are so focused on something else that they have lost all sense of sight. This can happen when people try to do a math problem, play a video game, or look at a photo.
IA can be very frustrating because it can prevent people from doing things they want. For example, if someone is trying to drive a car, they may not be able to see the traffic in front of them, which can lead to accidents.
IA is a very common condition, and there is no cure. However, there are ways that people can improve their chances of avoiding IA. One way is to be aware of when it is happening and focus on what is in front of them. People can also use electronic devices wisely and avoid looking at screens for long periods.
