Information Processing Theory

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Information Processing Theory: Systematic models of memory, cognition, and thinking.

Information is:

-coded

-transformed

-organized

Unlike Piaget, there are no stages

-perception

-attention

-memory

-categorization

-planning

-problem solving

-comprehension

Information Processing Model (IPM):

Consists of three main components:

1. sensory memory

2. working memory

3. long-term memory

Sensory and working memory can process limited amounts of incoming information during initial processing.

Long-term memory serves as permanent knowledge storage.

Sensory Memory:

-limited to five-7 discrete elements at a time

-process stimuli most relevant at the present time

-cannot consciously attend to sensory memory

-familiar information and relevant information ensure quicker processing and forwarding to working memory

Working Memory:

-forwarded information from sensory memory and the rest is deleted

-where info is assigned meaning, linked to other information, and inferencing

-information is lost quickly (5-15 seconds) unless some type of mental rehearsal occurs

-number of working memory models are proposed

-3 component model by Baddeley is the most common

Baddeley Model:

Executive Control System: selects incoming information and determines how to best process it, constructs meaning through organization and inferences, transfers processed information to long-term memory or deletes information from memory system. “Conscious meaning” of information.

Articulatory Loop: maintains and further processes verbal information.

Visual-Spatial Sketch Pad: maintains and further processes non-verbal and visual information.

Terms for Cognitive Processing in Working Memory:

-Limited Attentional Resources: limited nature of information processing.

-Automaticity: being able to perform a task very quickly and efficiently due to repeated practice.

-Selective Processing: intentionally focusing limited cognitive resources on stimuli most relevant to task at hand.