Information Processing

Information Processing

  • Learning Objective (LO): To understand the stages of information processing and apply it to sporting examples.

  • Success Criteria:
         - Bronze (C): Identify stages of information processing
         - Silver (B): Describe each stage of information processing
         - Gold (A): Apply to sporting examples

Stages of Information Processing

  • To understand the basic principles of information processing, consideration of several stages is key:
      1. Input
      2. Decision Making
      3. Output
      4. Feedback

Input Stage

  • Description:
         - Data received from the display using senses (sight, hearing, etc.).
         - The performer chooses what is the most relevant cue to them at that time.
         - This process is known as selective attention:
            - A filtering process whereby they pick out the most important parts of the display that are relevant and discard those that are not.
         - Examples:
          - A basketball player focusing on the ball's trajectory while ignoring audience noise.

Decision Making Stage

  • Description:
         - Performer selects an appropriate response (skill/movement) from memory.
         - Accesses memories of a similar experience from memory.
         - Short Term Memory (STM) is the ‘working memory.’
         - Information that has been attended to is stored in STM for a short time (approx. 30 seconds).
         - If information is rehearsed, it can be stored in Long Term Memory (LTM).
         - Long Term Memory (LTM) holds information that has been rehearsed and stored; it has an unlimited capacity.
         - If a memory is relevant to what is required at that time, it is compared to the info in the STM to enable a decision to be made.
         - Examples:
          - A tennis player recalling a successful serve from a previous match.

Output Stage

  • Description:
         - The decision is acted upon; information is sent from the brain to the working muscles to carry out the response.
      - Examples:
          - The action of swinging a racket to hit a ball in badminton.

Feedback Stage

  • Description:
         - Information is received in response to the output regarding the success of the action.
         - Feedback can be:
          - Intrinsic: from the performer themselves (e.g., feeling of success or failure).
          - Extrinsic: from others (e.g., coach’s feedback).
         - The feedback received may affect how the performer completes this skill in the future.
         - Examples:
          - A coach signaling that a player's form is incorrect.

Practical Application of Information Processing

  • Task: Explain the stages of information processing for 3 different skills of your choice.
         - Example Skill Application:
            1. Receive feedback about the smash.
            2. Send impulse to perform the smash to the muscles.
            3. Decide to smash the shuttle based on the input from the display (e.g., shuttlecock played high).

Exam Questions

  • What do you understand by the term selective attention? (1 mark)
         - Involves choosing the correct cue at one time and discarding others.

  • Explain the ‘input’ stage of information processing (2 marks)
         - Performer takes in sensory information from the display (sight, hearing, etc.).
         - They choose which sense is most important to them at that time.

Homework

  • Learning Objective (LO): Apply the stages of information processing.

Diagrams can be created to illustrate the stages of information processing. Possible diagram ideas include a flowchart showcasing the stages (Input → Decision Making → Output → Feedback) and labeled examples for each stage, such as a basketball player focusing on the ball during the input stage. Diagrams are best created using visual tools or drawing software for clearer representation.

  • What are the four stages of information processing? Explain each briefly. (4 marks)

  • Define selective attention and give an example of its role in a sporting context. (2 marks)

  • Describe the decision-making stage of information processing and its relevance to skill performance. (3 marks)

  • Explain how feedback influences future performance in sports. Include intrinsic and extrinsic feedback in your answer. (3 marks)

  • Outline the practical application of information processing by giving an example with a specific skill. (2 marks)

  • What is the difference between short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) in the context of information processing? (2 marks)

  • Illustrate the input stage of information processing with an example from a sport of your choice. (2 marks)

  • **Discuss the role of feedback in the output stage of information processing. Provide examples. (3 marks)

  1. What are the four stages of information processing? Explain each briefly. (4 marks)
       - Input: Data received from the senses (1 mark)
       - Decision Making: Choosing a response based on memory (1 mark)
       - Output: Executing the response (1 mark)
       - Feedback: Evaluating the success of the action (1 mark)

  2. Define selective attention and give an example of its role in a sporting context. (2 marks)
       - Definition: The process of focusing on relevant cues while ignoring others (1 mark)
       - Example: A basketball player focusing on the ball rather than crowd noise (1 mark)

  3. Describe the decision-making stage of information processing and its relevance to skill performance. (3 marks)
       - Description: Selecting an appropriate response from memory (1 mark)
       - Importance: Affects the execution of skills based on previous experiences (1 mark)
       - Reference to STM and LTM: Information stored temporarily (STM) or rehearsed for long-term use (LTM) (1 mark)

  4. Explain how feedback influences future performance in sports. Include intrinsic and extrinsic feedback in your answer. (3 marks)
       - Explanation of feedback: Information received after performance (1 mark)
       - Intrinsic feedback: Self-evaluation based on personal performance (1 mark)
       - Extrinsic feedback: Information from external sources, e.g., coaches (1 mark)

  5. Outline the practical application of information processing by giving an example with a specific skill. (2 marks)
       - Specific skill: Example skill that demonstrates the stages (1 mark)
       - Explanation of how stages apply: Brief outline of each stage in the context of the skill (1 mark)

  6. What is the difference between short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) in the context of information processing? (2 marks)
       - STM: Working memory with limited time and capacity (1 mark)
       - LTM: Unlimited capacity for rehearsed information (1 mark)

  7. Illustrate the input stage of information processing with an example from a sport of your choice. (2 marks)
       - Description of input stage: Receiving sensory information (1 mark)
       - Relevant sporting example: Specific case illustrating the input stage (1 mark)

  8. Discuss the role of feedback in the output stage of information processing. Provide examples. (3 marks)
       - Importance of feedback for performance improvement (1 mark)
       - Examples of intrinsic and extrinsic feedback in the output stage (1 mark)
       - How feedback can modify future outputs and performance (1 mark)