1 Information Processing Focus of the Information Processing

Information Processing
Other Theories of Development
Š Approach or framework, not theory per se
Š Computer metaphor
Chapter 8
„
Mind:
z
z
z
„
Processes information via
software
Has limited processing capacity
Can be “upgraded”
Roles of input, storage, and retrieval
Focus of the Information
Processing Approach
Š 1) Thinking is processing
Š 2) Focus of study is role of change
mechanisms
„
Encoding, strategy construction,
automatization, generalization
Human Cognition
Š Thinking is flexible
Š Thinking is constrained
„
„
Limited information
Limited speed of processing
Š Atkinson and Shiffrin’s (1968) store
model
Š 3) Development driven by selfmodification
Š 4) Task analysis of problems
„
Information stores
Store Model
Stimulus
Store Model (cont’d)
Stimulus
Short term
(working) memory
Š Sensory store or sensory
register
„
Sensory store
Attention
Long term
memory
Sensory store
Mental processing unit
that receives information
(what we perceive)
Executive control
processes
1
Store Model (cont’d)
Š Choosing what is
perceived
Š Control increases
with age
Stimulus
Sensory store
Attention
Store Model (cont’d)
Stimulus
Sensory store
Executive Control Processes
„
Long term
memory
Sensory store
Affective
Š Coordinates at all levels
E.g., semantic, episodic
Store Model
Stimulus
Metacognitive processes
Š Conscious and reflective
„
Š Unlimited and permanent
Š Organized into categories
„
Š “Work space” of
mind
Š Limited capacity
Š Short term
Š Executive functions
Short term
(working) memory
Attention
Attention
Sensory store
Store Model (cont’d)
Stimulus
Short term
(working) memory
Store Model (cont’d)
Short term
(working) memory
Attention
Executive control
processes
Long term
memory
Executive control
processes
Š Development between 3 and 12 years
2
Information Handling
Processes
Š Developmental changes
„
„
„
„
Encoding and representation
Strategies
Automatization
Generalization
Encoding and Representation
Š Huge amount of information in
environment
Š Attend and encode what is important
„
Encoding and Representation
(cont’d)
Š Attend and encode what is important
(cont’d)
„
Encoding and Representation
(cont’d)
Š Mental representation
„
Planfulness
„
„
„
Encoding and Representation
(cont’d)
Š Scripts and mental maps
„
Script
z
„
Event or situation
Spatial layout of physical or
geographical place
Information stored in a particular
form
“Chair”
Language
Math
Scripts and Mental Maps
(cont’d)
Š Scripts
„
„
Mental Map
z
Selective attention
„
Outline of expectations
Helps understanding of new events and
provides predictability
General vs. Personal
3
Scripts and Mental Maps
(cont’d)
Š Mental Maps
„
„
Helps to find way through spatial
environment
Formation
1) Landmark knowledge
2) Route knowledge
z 3) Mental map
z
z
Strategies
Š Deliberate cognitive or behavioral operations
Š Applied to all levels of information processing
system
Š 3 + 14 = ?
„
„
Strategies (cont’d)
Š Externally or internally supported
Š Rehearsal, semantic organization, and
elaboration
Count-all
Min rule
Strategies (cont’d)
Š Semantic organization
„
Process of organizing information into
categories and hierarchical relations
Š Rehearsal
„
Repeating mentally or out loud
Strategies (cont’d)
Š Semantic Organization (cont’d)
Strategies (cont’d)
Š Elaboration
„
„
„
„
„
„
Results in better recall
Can be taught
Affected by motivation (costs of use?)
Add information
to make more
meaningful
Enhances recall
“Elaborative
interrogation”
4
Automatization
Generalization
Š Transforms conscious controlled
behaviours into unconscious automatic
ones
Š Multiplication facts
„
Š Application of a learned strategy to a
similar problem
What is 4 x 2 ?
3 + 14 = ?
Critiques of the Information
Processing Approach
Š Strengths
„
Critiques of the Information
Processing Approach (cont’d)
Š Weaknesses (cont’d)
Breakdown of cognitive processing
„
Š Weaknesses
„
Program ≠ thinking
Which program?
z Symbol grounding problem
z
Specific components not linked
Sensory store
z
Short term
(working) memory
Stimulus
Computer metaphor
Attention
„
Ignores cultural and social influences
Long term memory
Executive control
processes
5