How long can the average person pay attention voluntarily?

Question

It seems that many people here are concerned about their ability to pay attention to anything regardless of their interest. Zoning out, easily distracted, so on, and so on. So let's say that all things about an environment are ideal for an average person. How long can that person electively focus on any task they want such as reading?

Answer 1

it's supposed to be your age, but stops at age 15. or example, if a child is 9, his attention span is relatively 9 minutes, 10 years old 10 minutes, and so on, but the average adult has an attention span of about 15 minutes, maybe 20, and then they get carried away with tomorrow's schedule, work, kids, and other stray thoughts that go through their mind

Answer 2

Impossible to answer this question. people have different attention spans. A year old may be all over the place. It doesn't mean they are not paying attention. But as a teacher I can help focus attention for anyone at any age, but it's a job and not always an easy task.

Answer 3

It depends on the age of the person, their mental state and physical state too.

Younger people have less of an attention span, children usually about 5 minutes, adults (there is a wide range here) about 10-15 minutes.

Training ones self helps and elimination of distractions is a big plus.

Answer 4

I like Mitch's answer but.....

I have a 4 year old whom I home school and can sit for hours learning without ever drifting off into Lala Land. My 12 year old goes to a public school. It seems as if he off task often with most anything according to his teacher. I think it depends on the person's brain functioning more than anything else.

Btw, this is a good question to ask.

Answer 5

Usually 20 minutes.