Lec 9!Information Processing & Reaction Time

A set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on Information Processing and Reaction Time.

Information Processing Model

A framework that uses a computer metaphor to describe how humans process information and make decisions.

Executive System

The part of the information processing model responsible for managing cognitive processes, including working memory, reasoning, and problem-solving.

Reaction Time

The time taken to respond to a stimulus, influenced by factors such as stimulus identification and response complexity.

Stimulus Identification

The process of recognizing and defining a stimulus in the information processing model.

Hicks’s Law

A principle stating that reaction time increases logarithmically as the number of stimulus-response alternatives doubles.

Psychological Refractory Period (PRP)

The delay in response to a second stimulus after a first stimulus has been processed.

Attentional Demands

The amount of concentration required to effectively handle tasks, which can be affected by dual tasking.

Multi-store Theory

A model of memory that includes three stages: sensory store, short-term memory, and long-term memory.

Retention Interval

The time delay between the initial presentation of information and its subsequent recall.

Decay

A theory of forgetting suggesting that memory fades over time if not actively recalled.

Cocktail Party Phenomenon

The ability to focus on a particular conversation while filtering out other surrounding conversations.

Selective Attention

The cognitive process of focusing on a specific object or task while ignoring others.

Working Memory

A limited capacity system that temporarily holds and manipulates information for cognitive tasks.

Forgetting Causes

Factors that contribute to memory loss, including decay, proactive interference, and retroactive interference.