contemporary theory of cog development: info processing approach Flashcards
what are the contemporary theories of cog development
information processing
neo piagetian theories
sieglers overlapping waves theory
what is the info processing approach
-culmination of ideas from several cog researchers
-humans dont just respond to stimuli, they process it
what does info processing approach compare human brain to
computer
-computer have input and output system, brains use input from environment to produce response
-brain processes include storage and retrieval
what does the info processing approach emphasise
role of cog processes like attention and memory on developmen t
info processing model as a child grows
children develop increasingly complex cog systems as they grow and learn
-allows them to process, store and retrieve info more efficiently
how does info processing model differ from piagets stage theory
-goes further: looks at how children perceive analyse, use and remember info to solve problems
-looks at why children fail at certain tasks
-attempts to understand why some children find some tasks easier than others
-provides explanations not just descriptions like the stage theory
-looks at ongoing and gradual changes in cog, not just jumping up a stage
-uses scientific method to explain behaviour and is more rigorous
what approach does info processing model take
induction: children process info and then create laws based on their experiences
-similar to piagets assimilation and accommodation to suit existing beliefs
does info processing model take nature or nurture approach
-children have innate ability to notice stimuli, store and retrieve info
-however, interactions with environment aid development of more effective strategies
what are the key cognitive aspects of the info processing model (3 definitions)
-information stores = locations where info is stored, such as the location in the brain where STM/LTM/sensory memory/episodic memories are stored
-cognitive processes = processes that transfer memory within memory stores including perceptions, coding, recoding, chunking and retrieval
-executive cognition = awareness within individual of how info is processed including own strengths and weaknesses, similar to metacognition
what is metacognition
thinking about thinking, e.g being aware of own strengths and weaknesses
what did brainerd 1980s state
processing info isnt just about what we can do but is also subject to limitations
what are brainerds 5 processing limitations
1.encoding limitations: unable to encode or process properly, e.g unable to use symbols like +, -, x
2.computational limitations: can encode but struggles to apply info e.g no strategy for multiplications
3.retrieval limitations: knowledge of strategies but cannot retrieve from LTM correctly e.g mix up between + and x
4.storage limitations: correct strategy retrieved but WM not developed enough to hold strategy
5.workspace limitations: WM capacity reached so unable to calculate complex equations requiring 2 processes at once
what was brainerd interested to see
whether children can come up with alternate strategies to overcome these limitations
brainerd 1983 probability judgement task procedure
-children aged 4-5 shown 10 tokens
-7 tokens have pic of rabbit, 3 have pony
-tokens placed inside a bag
-children asked what animal would it be if researcher pulled out one token at random
-repeated 4 times
brainerd 1983 probability judgement task findings
-children would not always choose the animal with the greatest likelihood
