Information Processing
psychologists refer to all cognitive and mental processes that occur in the brain as information processing.
Information Processing
Central processingThe “storing and sorting of
information in the brain (memory and thinking)
OutputThe ideas and actions that result
from this processing
InputInformation we receive from our senses
Input*All the information we receive from our senses
If you take it all in you will be overwhelmed.
Therefore….
selective attention The ability to pick and choose among
the different available inputs.• EX: At a party there is noise, smells,
conversation etc, but you are still able to focus on what you want
Some inputs are more important than others• Primary needs – food, water, etc• Strange or unusual• Interest – things that you are interested
in
feature extraction Involves locating the outstanding
characteristics of incoming information• Example:
Twins, unusual outfit or hairstyle
• Experience plays an important role in ability
MemoryThree types of
memory:sensory storageshort termlong term
Sensory Stage
Holds info for only an instant at the receptors
Short Term Holds info for
approximately 20 seconds
Can only hold 7-8 unrelated items (unrehearsed) Chunking Clustering
Long Term
Any storage from 20-30 seconds on Indefinite
Output
Retrieving information Stored info is useless unless we can
retrieve it
Key to memory is ORGANIZATION
1. Recognition
“oh yeah syndrome” Memory is organized in a way that makes
recognition easy Multiple Choice
Info is often linked to many different categories/items in memory. The more links the better
* Travel the road frequently
Recall
The active reconstruction of information More remarkable than recognition Involves knowledge, attitudes and
expectations etc.
Confabulation
When a person re-remembers parts of a memory/experience and fills in the gaps by making up the rest
Eidetic Memory
“Photographic Memory” Incredible and rare
Forgetting
When information that once entered long term memory can’t be retrieved, it is said to be forgotten
Physical damage does permanently remove memories
Short term and sensory storage quickly fade away or decay
Still uncertain if long term memories ever decay away
Some forgotten info can be retrieved through hypnosis, medication, and brain stimulation which suggests that they do not decay
Forgetting may be due to…
AmnesiaInterferencerepression
Amnesia Loss of memory
• functional (mental trauma)• Organic (brain injury)
Interference Memory being blocked by previous
or succeeding memories• Proactive – earlier memory does the
blocking• Retroactive – later memory does the
blocking
Repression Subconscious blocking of memories
that are painful, unpleasant or undesirable• Defense mechanism
Four Strong Influenceson our ability to retrieve
1. Meaningfulness The more meaningful something is, the
easier it will be to remember
2. Association More vivid memories when linked with
items previously stored
3. Lack of Interference Good way to protect mind from this
is to over-learn. Practice, practice, practice
• The more senses involved the better
4. Degree of original Learning The better you learn something the
first time, the more information you’ll likely recall
Improving Memory
Techniques are based on efficient organization of the things one learns and chunking information for easier handling
Mnemonic Devices
Techniques for using associations to memorize information Ex:
• Every good boy does fine (or deserves fudge) • My very elegant mother just served us nine pizzas• Roy G. Biv• Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally
Form mental pictures
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