Information Processing Model

Definition

The information processing model is a theoretical framework in psychology that describes how the human mind processes and transforms information, similar to how a computer processes data. It views the mind as an information processor that receives, stores, retrieves, and transmits information through various cognitive stages.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The information processing model proposes that the mind operates similarly to a computer, with distinct stages of information processing.
2. The three main stages of the information processing model are sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
3. Sensory memory briefly holds information from the senses before it is either forgotten or transferred to short-term memory.
4. Short-term memory has a limited capacity and duration, and is used to actively manipulate and process information.
5. Long-term memory has a vast capacity for storage and allows for the retrieval of information over an extended period.

Review Questions

• Explain how the information processing model describes the stages of cognitive processing.
  • The information processing model proposes that the mind operates in a series of distinct stages to process information. The first stage is sensory memory, where information from the senses is briefly stored before being either forgotten or transferred to short-term memory. In the second stage, short-term memory temporarily holds and manipulates the information, but has limited capacity and duration. Finally, in the third stage, long-term memory stores information for an extended period, with a vast capacity for storage and retrieval. This model suggests the mind functions similarly to a computer, receiving, storing, and retrieving information through these cognitive stages.
• Describe the role of short-term memory in the information processing model.
  • In the information processing model, short-term memory plays a crucial role in actively manipulating and processing information. Short-term memory has a limited capacity and duration, typically holding information for only 20-30 seconds unless it is rehearsed or transferred to long-term memory. This stage of information processing is responsible for tasks such as problem-solving, decision-making, and the temporary storage of information needed for immediate use. The limited nature of short-term memory highlights the importance of effectively transferring information to the more robust long-term memory for long-term storage and retrieval.
• Analyze how the information processing model relates to the historical development of psychology.
  • The information processing model emerged as a influential theoretical framework in psychology, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, as a response to the limitations of the previously dominant behaviorist approach. Whereas behaviorism focused solely on observable stimuli and responses, the information processing model introduced a new perspective by considering the cognitive processes occurring within the 'black box' of the mind. This shift towards understanding the internal mental mechanisms underlying behavior was a significant development in the history of psychology, as it paved the way for the cognitive revolution and the study of complex cognitive processes such as perception, attention, memory, and decision-making. The information processing model provided a conceptual foundation for understanding the mind as an active information processor, rather than just a passive responder to environmental stimuli, and has continued to shape the field of cognitive psychology to this day.

Related terms

Sensory Memory: The initial stage of information processing where sensory information is briefly stored before being transferred to short-term memory.

Short-Term Memory: The stage of information processing where information is temporarily stored and manipulated, with a limited capacity and duration.

Long-Term Memory: The stage of information processing where information is stored for an extended period, with a vast capacity for storage and retrieval.