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Start for freeUnderstanding Information Processing Theory
Every second, we are bombarded with a myriad of stimuli from the world around us. Our brain, an incredible organ, processes these stimuli through our senses: sight, sound, smell, and touch. This process, central to our cognitive functioning, is explained by the Information Processing Theory. This theory illustrates how information moves from being just stimuli outside our bodies to becoming stored memories in our brain.
The Journey from Sensory to Memory Storage
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Sensory Input and Memory: Sounds are captured by the echoic memory, and images by the iconic memory. This sensory information is then transferred to the sensory memory. However, it's only when we pay particular attention to a specific sense that this information moves from our sensory memory to our short-term memory.
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Short-Term Memory (STM): The STM holds information about our current experiences, like what we see and hear. However, it has a very limited storage capacity and cannot hold information permanently.
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Long-Term Memory (LTM): In contrast, the LTM has a vast storage capacity and can store information permanently. The process of transferring information from the STM to the LTM is known as encoding. Encoding involves creating connections between new memories and those already stored.
Processing and Retrieval of Memories
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Retrieval: The act of getting memories from the LTM back into the STM for use is called retrieval. This process is crucial for utilizing stored information in our daily activities.
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Selective Attention: When our STM is overwhelmed by numerous stimuli, we use selective attention to filter out irrelevant messages. This allows us to concentrate on what's important, enhancing our cognitive efficiency.
Multitasking and Cognitive Limits
The theory also sheds light on multitasking, illustrating that while we can perform visual and auditory tasks simultaneously (e.g., walking and talking), performing two tasks that require the same type of sensory input (e.g., reading two books) is challenging. This limitation highlights the selective nature of our attention and processing capabilities.
Response to Stimuli
When our senses receive a message, a search operation determines the appropriate response. For instance, an injury might trigger a response to seek help. This search and response mechanism organizes our actions and responses to stimuli. Feedback received through observation checks the effectiveness of our response. If deemed effective, this response strategy is stored in the LTM for future use.
Conclusion
The Information Processing Theory offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex processes of how our brain handles the endless stream of information it receives. Understanding this theory can help us appreciate the incredible capabilities and limitations of our cognitive functions. By recognizing the role of selective attention and the limits of multitasking, we can better manage information overload and enhance our memory and learning processes.
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