Applying the Information Processing Approach to Attention & Memory

Question 1

how does the IPA (info proc approach) see the mind?

Answer 1

as a computer - limited capacity of hardware and software

Question 2

what is attention in regards to IPA? how does development change attention?

Answer 2

voluntary/selective
inhibition
shifting attention
sustained attention

Question 3

what is memory in relation to IPA?

Answer 3

your processing speed

Question 4

what did Metcalfe & Finn (2013) find regarding metacognition and study of choice where metacognition was used to effectively allocate study time (on word lists) in grade 3 and older?

Answer 4

grade 3 - choices were random
older children - more likely to allocate study time to lists they were less confident on

Question 5

what is an assumption of the IPA regarding processing?

Answer 5

assumes serial processing of stimulus inputs vs parallel processing

Question 6

give two positives of the analogy between human cognition and computer functioning

Answer 6

+ most computers have a central processor of limited capacity - capacity limitations
+ combine info presented w previously stored info to provide solutions to a variety of problems

Question 7

give two negatives of the analogy between human cognition and computer functioning

Answer 7

• human brain has capacity for parallel, computers rely on serial
• humans are influenced by conflicting emotional and motivational factors

Question 8

what is the evidence for IPA based on and what does this mean for its validity?

Answer 8

based on experiments under controlled and scientific conditions, usually artificial so it lacks ecological validity
- in experiments there is a lack of cognitive and motivational factors