Cognitive development: Information processing theories

Question 1

In information processing theories, the human mind is viewed as an information-processor with what?

Answer 1

Specifiable limits

Question 2

In information processing theories, what is the hardware and what is the software?

Answer 2

Hardware = brain, sensory system
Software = strategies, rules

Question 3

What are the three fundamental processes in information processing theories?
1. A____
2. S____
3. R____

Answer 3

1. Acquisition
2. Storage
3. Retrieval

Question 4

What are some specific limits of the brain in information processing theories?

Answer 4

Memory capacity, knowledge of problem-solving strategies

Question 5

Cognitive development arises from what?

Answer 5

Children gradually surmounting their processing limitations

Question 6

What are three things children do to surmount their processing limitations?
How do these changes occur?

Answer 6

1. Expand the amount of info they can process at one time - development of working memory, long term memory and executive functioning
2. Increase their processing speed - improved efficiency of basic processes via greater connectivity and conduit among brain regions
3. Acquire new strategies - use of strategies and development of domain-specific content knowledge

Question 7

Organisation of working memory remains consistent from early in childhood but ____ and _____ increases…

Answer 7

Capacity and speed

Question 8

From prenatal period through adolescence, what happens to axons?

Answer 8

Increasing number of axons become covered with myelin (Paus, 2010)
This promotes faster and more reliable transmission of electrical impulses in the brain

Question 9

Strategies are used for two things…
1. Optimal ____ and ____ of info
2. Mental ____ of information

Answer 9

1. Storage, retrieval
2. Manipulation

Question 10

The key concept of Siegler Overlapping Waves model is that ____ in strategies do not occur in a ____ of ____ different stages

Answer 10

Changes, sequence, qualitatively

Question 11

What are the two ultimate goals of strategies?

Answer 11

1. Automatisation - conscious and controlled strategies become automatic, frees up information-processing capacity
2. Generalisation - learning to apply same strategy across different situations

Question 12

What are the three basic theoretical features of Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory?
1. Relationship between s____ a____ and individual t____ underpins c____ development
2. Children as t____ and l____
3. Children as p____ of their c____

Answer 12

1. Relationship between social activity (intermental) and individual thinking (intramental) underpins cognitive development
2. Children as teachers and learners
3. Children as products of their culture

Question 13

What are the two mechanisms of Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory?
1. G____ p____ - t____-focused, child a____ participates in the process
2. S____ s____ - t____-focused, set a____ task for level of child and appropriate degree of s____

Answer 13

1. Guided participation - task-focused, child actively participates in the process
2. Social scaffolding and the ZPD - task-focused, set appropriate task for level of child and appropriate degree of support

Question 14

Intersubjectivity refers to the m____ u____ that people share during c____

Answer 14

The mutual understanding that people share during communication

Question 15

What are four forms of intersubjectivity?
1. Joint a____
2. L____
3. D____
4. C____

Answer 15

1. Joint attention
2. Language (labels)
3. Dialogue (nature of talk)
4. Collaboration

Question 16

What are two examples of how children learn from interactions with others (Mercer & Howe, 2012)

Answer 16

1. QUALITY of talk important (authoritative talk bus dialogic talk)
2. COLLABORATION vs cooperation