Which of the following demonstrates an example of selective attention?

The example of selective attention is best demonstrated by listening to one conversation in a crowded room. Selective attention refers to the cognitive process of focusing on a particular stimulus while ignoring others. In this scenario, an individual directs their attention to one specific conversation, filtering out the various sounds and voices present in the environment. This ability allows a person to concentrate on a single source of information, which is particularly useful in situations where there are numerous competing stimuli, enabling better understanding and engagement with the selected input.

In contrast, the other options do not adequately illustrate selective attention. Identifying shapes in a dark room relies more on visual perception capabilities and less on the ability to focus attention amidst distractions. Understanding multiple inputs at once suggests a broader cognitive engagement, rather than the selective focus characteristic of selective attention. Recognizing a familiar face in a crowd relies on recognition memory and does not emphasize the active process of focusing on a single source while ignoring others. Therefore, listening to one conversation amidst competing noise provides the clearest example of selective attention in action.