INFORMATION AND PROCESSING THEORY

 


There are three primary stages in the Information and Processing Theory:

 

Encoding- information is sensed, perceived, and attended.

 

Storage- the information is stored for either a brief or extended period of time depending upon the processes following encoding

 

Retrieval- The information is found at the appropriate time, and reactivated for use on a current task, the true test of effective memory.

The initial appeal of information processing theories was the idea that cognitive processes could be described in a stage-like model. The stages to processing follow a path along which information is taken into the memory system, and reactivated when necessary. Most theories of information processing center around three main stages in the memory process.

Sensory Register

 

The first step in the IP model hold ALL sensory information for a VERY BRIEF time period.   

 

     Capacity: we hold an enormous amount, more that we can ever perceive.

     Duration: Extremely brief- in order of 1 to 3 seconds

 

 The Role of Attention

      

     To move information into consciousness, we need to attend to it. That is, we only have the ability to perceive and remember later those things that pass through the attention gate.

 

  Short Term Memory (working Memory)      

 

Capacity: What you can say about in 2 seconds. Often said to be 7+/ 2 items.

 

to be 7+/_2 items.

 

     Duration: Around 18 seconds or less

 

     To reduce the loss of information in 18 seconds, you need to rehearse

 

     There are two types of rehearsal- Maintenance and Elaborative

 

Long Term Memory - the final storing house of memorial information, the long term memory store holds information until needed again.

 

     Capacity: unlimited?

     Duration: indefinite?

 

  Executive Control Processes    

 

     Also known as executive processor, or Metacognitive skills

 

     Guide the flow of information through the system, helps the learner make informed

 

     Example processes-attention, rehearsals, organization

 

     Sometimes call METACOGNITVE SKILLS

 

  The ability to access information when needed  

 

     There are two main ways in which forgetting likely occurs:

 

     Decay-Information is not attended to, and eventually fades away.

 

     Very prevalent in working memory.

 

     Inference-New or old information blocks‘ access to the information in question.

 

  Methods for Increasing the Probability of Remembering  

 

     Organization- info that is organized efficiently should be recalled

 

     Deep processing- This is focusing upon meaning.

 

     Elaboration- Connecting new info with old, to gain meaning.

 

     Generation- Things we produce are easier to remember than things we hear.

 

     Context-Remembering the situation helps recover information

 

     Personalization- making the information relevant to the individual

 

     Memory Methods

 

     Memorization (note the same as learning)

 

     Serial Position Effect (regency and primacy) you will remember the beginning and end of list most readily

 

     Part Learning - Break up the list to increase memorization

 

     Distributed Practice- Break up learning sessions, rather than cramming all the info in at once (Massed Practice)

 

     Mnemonics Aids

 

     Loci Method - Familiar place, associate list with items in place (i.e. living room)

 

     Peg-type - Standard list is a cue to the target list.

 

     Acronym – SCUBA

 

     Chain Mnemonics – EGBDF

 

     Key word Method - Association of new word/ concept with well know word/concept that sounds similar.



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