Usredotoenost

Usredotoenost is the state of directed mental attention toward a specific task, goal, or stimulus, with cognitive resources allocated to that object. The term is used in Serbo-Croatian and related languages as a noun formed from the verb usredotociti (to focus) with the suffix -enost indicating a state or quality.

Usredotoenost comprises several facets of attention, including selective attention (focusing on a target amid distractors), sustained attention (maintaining focus over time), and, less commonly, divided attention (monitoring multiple tasks). In cognitive science, concentration is linked to working memory and executive control and depends on arousal and motivation.

Practical applications appear in education, work, sports, and everyday activities. People seek to improve concentration by structuring tasks, reducing interruptions, assigning dedicated time blocks, and matching demands to cognitive load and goals.

Several factors affect usredotoenost: environmental distractions, fatigue, stress, motivation, and task difficulty. Substances such as caffeine can temporarily enhance alertness, while sleep deprivation impairs it.

Techniques to improve concentration include setting clear intentions, breaking work into manageable chunks, scheduling focused periods with breaks, organizing the workspace, practicing mindfulness, regular exercise, and ensuring adequate sleep.

The concept relates to attention, focus, and mindfulness, but emphasizes the sustained, purposeful direction of cognitive resources toward a chosen objective.