Information Processing Systems A Cognitive Learning Model

Cognitive Learning Differs greatly from Behavioral views Important mental processes do in fact exist Those mental processes can be studied scientifically Humans can actively participate in their cognitive processes Consequences are taken as feedback Transformation & Revision of existing knowledge No single model for cognitive learning exists

Cognitive Learning Types of Cognitive Learning Declarative “Knowing that_____”  Facts, generalities, personal preferences, rules, etc.  Huge amounts of information Procedural “Knowing how to ______”  Knowledge in action  Science Lab, Essay, Ceramic pot. Conditional “Knowing when & why______”  Application to a particular context  Choosing the right procedure to solve a problem

Information Processing Model Sensory Memory Capacity: amount in this stage of memory HUGE!  Bombarded with sensory input all the time Duration: how long it stays 1 – 3 seconds  Flashbulb Content: items in storage Representations of the original stimulus  Flashbulb shaped floating blue dot

Information Processing Model Sensory Memory Perception Attaching meaning to a given stimulus in a purely unique way.  Fritz Perls  Gestalt Theory (overhead)  Completion, Pattern, Configuration  Figure – Ground  Closure

Information Processing Model Sensory Memory Processing Style* Bottom – Up  Feature Analysis  Sees all the details first  Big picture is challenging  Can’t see the forest because the trees are in the way  Typical Careers of Bottom – Up processors?  Accountants?  Mechanics?  Engineers?

Information Processing Model Sensory Memory Processing Style* Top – Down  Pattern recognition  Sees the big picture immediately  Details are challenging  “I don’t know how! I just know!”  Typical careers of a Top – Down processor?  Salespeople?  Leadership?  Artists?

Information Processing Model Working Memory Capacity 5 – 9 items  Phone Number?, Social Security?, Student Id? Duration 5 – 20 seconds  Why do you take notes? Content Digits, Meanings, Musical Notes, Images, Letters, etc.

Information Processing Model Maintenance Activities Rehearsal Maintenance repetition  Repeating her phone number until you can enter it onto your cell. Elaboration  Attaching a significant story to the items  GZL-091 Chunking Reducing the number of items in Working Memory by combining them.

Information Processing Model Forgetting Interference New & existing knowledge gets confused or merged “Dang! His name begins with ‘D.’ David? Dan? Don?” Decay Knowledge that is not used is eventually lost Use it or Loose it! Forgetting as a positive? Helps to make cognitive processes efficient

Information Processing Model Long-term Memory Capacity Virtually unlimited  Excluding any physical trauma or disease affecting the brain Duration Virtually Unlimited  Excluding any physical trauma or disease affecting the brain Content Networks of meanings, episodes, procedures, schemata, etc.