Nideffer's attentional styles

Robert Nideffer proposed looking at attention in two dimensions: broad or narrow, and directed outward or inward. Combined, they give four styles: broad-external (reading the situation), narrow-external (locking onto one object), broad-internal (analysis, planning) and narrow-internal (monitoring your own state). The TAIS questionnaire is built on this model. Flexibility — being able to pick the right quadrant for the task — matters more than being "strong" in any single style.

A point guard in basketball reads the whole court (broad-external), then narrows onto the hoop before shooting (narrow-external). Between plays they might analyse tactics (broad-internal) or steady their breathing (narrow-internal). Mistakes often come from getting stuck in the wrong quadrant — for example, sinking into internal analysis when the moment calls for acting on what is in front of you.

The TAIS questionnaire and its adaptations measure your attentional style profile — related assessments of focus are available in the tests section. They show your strong quadrants and your tendency to overload attention. Think of it as a map for deliberately training your switching.

Practise deliberate transitions between quadrants: in the "spotlight" exercise you widen and narrow the beam of your attention on command, and point it inward and outward. Set up game situations that demand a quick change of style. Collections of attention-flexibility drills are in the exercises section.

Nideffer's model is the theoretical foundation for cueing, attentional refocusing and the distinction between associative and dissociative focus. Understanding your own quadrants helps with inconsistent results. Our specialists can help you make sense of your attention profile.