# Target fixation

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_fixation
> Source revision: 1300023435
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{{Short description|Attentional phenomenon}}
{{war}}
'''Target fixation''' is an [attention](/source/attention)al phenomenon observed in humans in which an individual becomes so focused on an observed object (be it a target or hazard) that they inadvertently increase their risk of colliding with the object. It is associated with scenarios in which the operator is in control of a high-speed vehicle or other mode of transportation, such as [motorist](/source/motorist)s, [fighter pilots](/source/Fighter_Aircraft), [race-car drivers](/source/Auto_racing), [paragliders](/source/Paragliding), and [motorcyclists](/source/motorcyclists).<ref name="edmunds2014">{{cite web|last=Edmunds|first=Glen|title=The Phenomenon of Target Fixation & How To Avoid It |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20140413140554/http://glenedmunds.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=123:the-phenomenon-of-target-fixation-a-how-to-avoid-it&catid=25:driving-articles&Itemid=132 |archivedate=April 13, 2014 |url=http://glenedmunds.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=123:the-phenomenon-of-target-fixation-a-how-to-avoid-it&catid=25:driving-articles&Itemid=132|work=Glen Edmunds Performance Driving School|accessdate=12 April 2014}}</ref> In such cases, the observer may fixate so intently on the target that they steer in the direction of their gaze, which is often the ultimate cause of a collision.<ref name="edmunds2014" /> The term target fixation was originally used in World War II [fighter-bomber](/source/fighter-bomber) pilot training to describe pilots flying into targets during a [strafing](/source/strafing) or bombing run.<ref name="Colgan2010">{{Citation |title= Allied Strafing in World War II: A Cockpit View of Air to Ground Battle |first= William B. |last=  Colgan |publisher= [McFarland](/source/McFarland_%26_Company) |year = 2010 |isbn= 978-0-7864-4887-6 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=GuuOyzdx1UAC&pg=PA44 }}</ref>

== Cause and effect ==
Target fixation is caused by becoming focused on one thing that is usually distracting, dangerous, or rewarding.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/good-thinking/201309/do-you-have-eyes-the-prize-or-target-fixation|title=Do You Have "Eyes on the Prize" or "Target Fixation"?|website=Psychology Today|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref> Focus can be caused by "anticipated success", such as when trying to arrive at a destination in a certain amount of time while driving.<ref name=":0" /> 

While experiencing target fixation, a person can be very susceptible to dangerous situations due to lack of awareness of one's surroundings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uspa.org/p/Article/safety-check-target-fixation|title=Safety Check {{!}} Target Fixation|website=United States Parachute Association|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref>

== Avoidance ==
To avoid this phenomenon, one can be aware and in control of vision when in a panic mode or in a reward mode.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cycleworld.com/sport-rider/motorcycle-riding-skills-how-to-improve-vision-avoid-target-fixation/|title=How to Avoid Target Fixation {{!}} Riding Skills Series|website=Cycle World|language=en|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref> A person should think about what they see and be aware of their environment before making any decisions.<ref name=":1" />

==See also==
*[Tunnel vision (metaphor)](/source/Tunnel_vision_(metaphor))

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Citation |title= The Upper Half of the Motorcycle: On the Unity of Rider and Machine |location=Center Conway, New Hampshire |first= Bernt |last= Spiegel |publisher= [Whitehorse Press](/source/Whitehorse_Press) |year= 2010 |ISBN= 978-1-884313-75-2 |translator= Meredith Hassall }} 
* {{Citation | title=Traffic: why we drive the way we do (and what it says about us) |first= Tom |last= Vanderbilt |location=New York, New York|publisher= [Random House](/source/Random_House) |year= 2008 |ISBN= 978-0-307-26478-7  }}
{{Refend}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Target Fixation}}
Category:Cognition
Category:Driving
Category:Military tactics
Category:Naval warfare tactics

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Target fixation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_fixation) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_fixation?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.