Cognitive information processing

A result of several influences Especially: –Learning theory S-R; S-O-R –Computer science/Information processing Turing Intelligent machines –Information theory Shannon/Bell Labs

Proposes: Sensory input is transformed into meaning through a series of actions you perform –Mainly in the brain, but not all –The processes are in a relatively invariant order –All people follow the same set of processes of thinking –However, the outcomes can be quite different

Four major types of info processing theories Stage theory Depth of processing theory Parallel distributed processing theory Connectionist models

Stage theory Argues for three major types of memory –Sensory memory –Short-term memory –Long-term memory

Levels-of-processing All information is stored, problem is in retrieval Retrieval is based on the amount of elaboration used in processing of information Perception, attention, labeling, meaning

Parallel distributed processing theory Simultaneous processing by several different parts of memory system rather than sequentially

Connectionistic theory Information is stored in multiple locations throughout the brain in the form of networks of connections More connections to a single idea or concept, the more likely it is to be stored and retrieved

General principles Limited capacity to be actively processed at a given time –Bottlenecks Control mechanism—part of the system’s processing capacity must be assigned to a control mechanism

Source: Huitt