Soar has an inherent attentional mechanism that is based on matching conditions of productions in long-term memory to the current elements in working memory. Normally, this results in straightforward, serial problem solving behavior. However, since any production that matches to the current working memory may fire (i.e., the knowledge that is brought to bear is only indirectly dependent upon the goal context), productions may fire that distract Soar from the current goal. Not disregarding the context from which it was distracted (i.e., the context is still present), Soar may continue to follow this new path as long as additional knowledge may be brought to bear it.