Information Processing

Question 1

Black Box Model of Information Processing

Answer 1

Input Signals –> Processing –> Output (motor response)

Question 2

3 Stages of Information Processing

Answer 2

• Stimulus identification (perception)
• Response selection (decision)
• Response Programming (action)

Question 3

Stimulus Identifiation Stage

Answer 3

• The ability to sense that a stimulus is present (light, sound, touch, etc.)
• IDing a stimulus can be tricky (clarity and intensity)
• Depends on the stimulus modality

Question 4

Clarity

Answer 4

If the vision is focused or blurry

Question 5

Intensity

Answer 5

Brightness or loudness vs dim or quiet

Question 6

How does modality affect stimulus identification?

Answer 6

Vision reaction time is slower than auditory or touch

Question 7

Role of pattern recognition in stimulus identification

Answer 7

Patterns make it easier to select a response

Question 8

Reaction Time

Answer 8

• The amount of tine that passes from the presentation of a stimulus until the beginning of a person’s response
• Different from response time

Question 9

Factors that influence reaction time

Answer 9

• Number of possible stimuli
• Choice reaction time
• Practice
• Response compatibility

Question 10

Where do errors occur in information processing?

Answer 10

• Reaction time
• The response was initiated too late

Question 11

Hick’s Law

Answer 11

• The relationship b/t the number of stimulus-response options and choice reaction time
• As the # of S-R pairs increases, choice reaction time increases in a linear fashion

Question 12

Effect of Practice on Reaction Time

Answer 12

• Greater practice time results in shorter reaction times
• Practice keeps reaction time from increasing, even when S-R alternatives increase
• Skills often become automatic
• If the same stimulus always leads to the same response, choice RT becomes quicker

Question 13

S-R Compatibility

Answer 13

Certain responses make more sense to do, making them more compatible

Question 14

Decision Making

Answer 14

Skilled vs unskilled

Question 15

Skilled Decision Making

Answer 15

• Better anticipation
• Earlier prediction
• Use different cues
• Quicker reaction time

Question 16

Types of Anticipation

Answer 16

• Spatial
• Temporal

Question 17

Spatial Anticipation

Answer 17

• The ability to anticipate performance movement
• Predicting “what” will happen

Question 18

Temporal Anticipation

Answer 18

• The ability to predict the time course of an event
• Predicting “when” an event will happen

Question 19

Cost of Anticipation

Answer 19

• Delays the speed of responding
• Costs more if the incorrect movement is started

Question 20

Signal-Detection Theory

Answer 20

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Question 21

Hit

Answer 21

Saying yes when the signal is actually present

Question 22

Miss

Answer 22

Saying no when the signal is actually present

Question 23

False Alarm

Answer 23

Saying yes when the signal is not present

Question 24

Correct Rejection

Answer 24

Saying no when the signal is not present

Question 25

3 Memory Systems

Answer 25

• Short-term sensory store
• Short-term memory
• Long-term memory

Question 26

Short-Term Sensory Store

Answer 26

• Held according to sensory modality (auditory, visual, kinesthetic)
• Very short duration
• Very little processing
• Very little attentional processing

Question 27

Short-Term Memory

Answer 27

• Composed of a temporary workspace where relevant info is processed (60 s)
• Info may be retrieved, rehearsed, processed, and transferre
• A small amout of info may be held, which uses 7 +or- 2 items or chunks
• Attention is held in STM as long as it is being rehearsed

Question 28

Long-Term Memory

Answer 28

• Considered the storage space for experiences over a lifetime
• Characterized as having unlimited capacity and duration
• Information reaches LTM through effortful processing of info in STM, which transfers it to LTM