PowerPoint C1 #2, keo

Information Processing Framework

  • Overview of Information Processing

    • The Information Processing Model of Cognition

    • Computer Metaphor

    • Data-driven vs. Conceptually-driven processing

    • Bottom-up vs. Top-down processing

An Example of Information Processing

  • Stages of Information Processing

    • Incoming information checks against sensory buffers.

    • Working Memory interacts with the information received:

    • Handles temporary storage and processing.

    • Encoding refers to the transformation of sensory information into a format suitable for memory.

    • Short-term storage provides a limited duration storage solution.

    • Consolidation is the process of stabilizing a memory trace after acquisition.

    • Long-term storage represents the extended duration storage solution.

    • Loss of Information highlights the potential failures in processing and retrieval pathways.

Perceptual & Sensory Processes

  • Sensation

    • Definition: The raw material of consciousness described by W. James as the primitive change(s) in our conscious state due to stimulation from the external environment.

  • Perception

    • Definition: The (non-conscious) recognition or interpretation of sensations to recover meaning.

    • Assumed to occur automatically and unconsciously.

The Computer Metaphor

  • The mind is conceptualized as a sophisticated computer or an information-manipulating device.

  • Hardware Components of the Mind Include:

    • Central Processing Unit (CPU)

    • Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

    • Memory Storage like Hard Drives, Floppy Disks, or Flash Drives

    • Input Devices: Keyboard, Mouse, Touchpad

    • Output Devices: Monitor, Videocard, Audiocard, Quickcam

  • The mind contains individualized software components developed to manipulate information.

  • “Good” thinking requires a seamless cooperation of both hardware and software elements and has resulted in the fields of cognitive science and artificial intelligence.

Thinking as Information Processing

  • Cognitive Processes can be broken down into interacting sub-processes which illustrate a "Black Box" approach:

    • Each cognitive task is depicted as a sequence of discrete stages.

    • Each stage processes specific inputs, performs specific actions, and produces corresponding outputs. For example:

    • Function representation: output = f(input)

    • Reading Example:

    • What word is this?

    • Recognizing structures: "WoRd"

An Example: Reading

  • Letter Recognition Module

    • Processes letters independently; e.g., "w" -- "o" -- "r" -- "d"

    • Output transformations occur as:

    • "wo" becomes

    • “wor”, leading to

    • “word”.

    • Lexicon and Semantic Memory aspects are involved in word recognition and understanding.

A Model of Reading

  • Serial Processing Model

    • A series of stages occur sequentially, where each stage takes input from the output of the previous stage.

    • Each stage performs a unique function but is also subject to influence from external or internal factors.

    • Consciously aware processes are used as a guide to theorizing about these stages.

An Example: Human Memory

  • Similar structure to the information processing of reading, which includes:

    • Incoming information

    • Retrieval processes

    • Working memory interactions

    • Each step follows the model structure of encoding, storage, consolidation, and loss of information.

A Model of Memory

  • Serial Processing of Memory

    • Just like reading, memory processing consists of sequential stages, each relying on the previous stage's output.

    • Each stage has unique functions and may be influenced by other processes.

    • Some cognitive processes are bottom-up, while others are top-down.

General Points on Perception

  • Data-driven (Bottom-up) Processing

    • Process involves handling raw data from senses leading to further processing.

  • Conceptually-driven (Top-down) Processing

    • Process involves prior knowledge that influences perception, focusing centrally on cognition.

    • Cognitive processes may contain varying degrees of bottom-up or top-down processing, with one often dominating depending on context.

Conceptually-driven vs. Data-driven Processing

  • Illustrative Examples:

    • Top-down vs. Bottom-up workings depicted:

    • Example of guessing: (letters displayed as) A - - A - - I N

      • Without context, relying entirely on sensory data results in minimal recognition.

    • Example with partial information (killer): (letters displayed as) A - - A - - I N

      • Contextual clues significantly enhance understanding and meaning recognition, demonstrating the interdependence of data-driven and conceptually-driven cues.

Study of Cognitive Psychology

  • Origins and Motivation:

    • Emerged from the cognitive revolution spurred by advances in personal computers.

    • A reaction against behaviorism, influenced by patterns noted in child and primate cognition, and rapid language acquisition.

  • Methodological Approach:

    • Cognitive psychology combines various methods:

      • Behavioral observations

      • Task performance evaluations

      • Survey and introspective assessments (distinct from psychoanalysis).

    • The field adopts a "Black Box" model breakdown, analyzing the interaction of cognitive processes through component study.