Theory #2: Information-Processing

Information-Processing Theories

theories that focus on the structure of cognitive systems and the mental activities used to deploy attention and memory to solve problems

Working Memory

• actively attending to, gathering, maintain, storing, and processing info

• is limited in both capacity and length of time info can be retained

Long-Term Memory

knowledge that people accumulate over their lifetime

Sensory Memory

represents sights and sounds directly and stores them briefly

Encoding

first step in memory, where the brain takes in sensory information and transforms it into a format that can be stored

Rehearsal

• early grade school

• repeating info to oneself

Organization

• early grade school

• grouping related items together

Elaboration

• end of middle school

• creating a relationship b/tw info not in the same category

Selective Attention

shifting and controlling improves

Flexible Attention

adaptable

Executive Functions

• mental operations and strategies for cognitively challenging situations

• inhibition of tempting actions

• selective & flexible/adaptable attention

• working memory

Infantile Amnesia

inability to recall early childhood memories, typically from the first few years of life — common phenomena