PSY 211- exam 2 (controlled and automatic processing)

Controlled processing

• requires : conscious attention, effort, cognitive resources, often slower processing 

• Used for difficult or new tasks 

• Solving a new chemistry calculation

Automatic processing/ automaticity

• Occurs quickly with little conscious effort and with relatively dew attentional resources → often after extensive practive 

• Reading familiar words 

• Automaticity develops when a process becomes increasingly automatic through practice 

  • Explains sroop affect: word reading is so automatic that it interferes with the controlled task of naming ink color 

Divided attention

• means attempting to attend to or perform multiple tasks simultaneously (Performance often decreases when tasks compete for the same limited cognitive resources)

Talking/texting while driving can

• Slow reacting time

• Reduce awareness of the environment 

• Increase missed events 

• Reduce driving performances