application of info processing approach

Question 1

what does the info processing approach compare the human brain to

Answer 1

a computer

Question 2

what is the brain referred as in the info processing approach

Answer 2

the hardware
-the hardware in the human body is the brain and nervous system

Question 3

what is the software of the computer model in humans

Answer 3

the software in humans is the processing that occurs in the brain
-includes mental programmes like roles of logic

Question 4

computer model as a child develops

Answer 4

as a child develops and maturation occurs, hardware and software improvements are seen

Question 5

who composed the MSM

Answer 5

atkinson and shiffrin 1968

Question 6

what causes info to enter the sensory store in the MSM

Answer 6

environmental input

Question 7

what are the 3 main stores in MSM

Answer 7

sensory store, STM, LTM

Question 8

what causes info to pass from sensory store to STM in MSM

Answer 8

attention

Question 9

what causes info to pass from STM to LTM in the MSM

Answer 9

rehearsal/storage

Question 10

what causes info to go from LTM to STM

Answer 10

retrieval

Question 11

what is another name for STM store in MSM

Answer 11

working memory

Question 12

is there an output from the STM

Answer 12

yes, response

Question 13

what are 2 types of memory in the sensory store

Answer 13

echoic and iconic

Question 14

what executive control processes enter the sensory store, STM and LTM in the MSM

Answer 14

regulate attention
select memory strategies and processes
monitor quality of possible solutions

Question 15

how does the hardware/software model apply as the brain matures

Answer 15

-improvements in brain capacity
-improvements in speed and automaticity
-improvements in strategies
-ability to reason is developed
-improvements in executive function e.g better metacognition (awareness becomes implicit e.g we dont need to think about speaking english)

Question 16

what change is seen in information processing approach and development

Answer 16

changes in attention
-attention broken down into voluntary/selective attention, inhibition, shifting attention, sustained attention
-as child develops so do these aspects

Question 17

memory and information processing approach

Answer 17

-in first year, babies make largest gain in weight of brain and connections (synapses) in brain
-brain maturation explains processing speed
–over time myelination occurs increasing processing speed
–myelin sheath = layer of myelin around neurons speeds up info processing
–when babies are born their sense are well developed bc these senses already have a myelin sheath, neurons for cog function do not have these myelin yet so processing is slow

Question 18

what are the weaknesses of the info processing approach

Answer 18

-doesnt have theoretical unity, not always clear how all ideas fit together

-computers process serially (in order) but humans can process multiple things at once, it is unknown whether humans process 2 things at a time or switch from one to the other

-analogy between human cog and computer functioning adopted by info processing approach is limited: human brain has capacity for parallel processing and humans are influenced by conflicting emotional and motivational factors

-evidence for info processing based on experiments in controlled scientific cond so lack ecological validity: everyday cog processes linked to a goal but motivation is removed in lab

-assumes stimulus driven info in cog is important but indiv expectations and past experiences also important, expectation often overrides info actually available in the stimulus we are attending to

Question 19

strengths of info processing approach

Answer 19

+tries to explain what is happening using the scientific method
+considers dev as gradual ongoing process (this may be most reflective of what we actually see)
+explains some variations in indiv diff
+explains why dev may not always be progressive
+supported by evidence e.g developmental changes in attention, structural brain changes and metacognition