PSY 25 / CH.7 - Information Processing

Information-Processing Approach (example)

remembering directions or steps

Information-Processing Approach (definition)

mind as a system that encodes, stores, and retrieves info

Information-Processing Approach (stage)

improves throughout childhood

Information-Processing Approach (real life)

studying, problem-solving, learning sequences

Processing Speed (definition)

how quickly we take in and respond to information

Processing Speed (example)

timed math facts, typing fluency

Processing Speed (stage)

increases through childhood; slows in older age

Processing Speed (real life)

practice, exercise, and repetition strengthen it

Attention Types (definition)

focus on specific stimuli

Attention Types (example)

selective, sustained, divided, executive, joint

Attention Types (stage)

improves with age and environment

Attention Types (real life)

teaching focus games: shared attention builds learning

Working Memory (definition)

holding and manipulating information

Working Memory (example)

remembering a phone number

Working Memory (stage)

school age → adolescence

Working Memory (real life)

crucial for reading, writing, math

Executive Function (definition) 

planning, control, flexible thinking

Executive Function (example)

shifting between tasks

Executive Function (stage)

grows rapidly in preschool years

Executive Function (real life)

self-control and goal-setting

Automaticity (definititon)

performing tasks effortlessly after practice

Automaticity (example)

reading sight words

Automaticity (stage)

by middle childhood

Automaticity (real life)

repetition leads to fluency

Metacognition (definition)

“thinking about thinking”

Metacognition (example)

choosing how to study

Metacognition (stage)

school age → adulthood

Metacognition (real life)

helps improve test prep and self- monitoring

Schema (definition)

mental frameworks to organize info

Schema (example)

“restaurant script”

Schema (stage)

expands with experience

Schema (real life)

helps interpret new info quickly

Memory Strategies (example)

chunking, rehearsal

Memory Strategies (definition)

tools to improve recall

Memory Strategies (stage)

middle childhood

Memory Strategies (real life)

use mnemonics to remember lists

Improving Processing Speed (definition)

supporting slower learners

Improving Processing Speed (example)

practice, cognitive games, repetition

Improving Processing Speed (stage)

any stage

Improving Processing Speed (real life)

helps diverse learners stay engaged