Informatio_Processing

A brief description of the information processing approach and development of memory through the ages. Developmental Psychology Essat\y submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the specialist diploma in psychology 23 March 2011 The information processing approach is a framework used by cognitive psychologists to explain and describe mental processes. The model associates the thinking process to how a computer works. Just like a computer, the human mind takes in information, organizes and stores it to be retrieved at a later time. Just as the computer has an input device, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output device, so does the human mind have equivalent structures (Proctor & Vu, 2006). In a computer, information is entered by means of input devices like a keyboard or scanner. In the human mind, the input device is called the sensory register, made up of sensory organs such as the eyes and the ears through which we obtain information about our surroundings. As information is received by a computer, it is processed in the central processing unit, which is equivalent to the working memory or short-term memory. In the human mind, this is where information is temporarily held so that it may be used, discarded, or transferred into long-term memory. According to (Sigelman & Rider, 2006) short term memory holds a limited amount of information for a few seconds. This is also known as passive memory. Working memory on the other hand is known as an active memory, it temporarily stores memory while acting on it. In a computer, information is stored in a hard disk, which is equivalent to the long-term memory. This is where we keep information that is not currently being used. Information stored in the Long-Term Memory may be kept for an indefinite period of time. When a computer processes information, it displays the results by means of an output device like a computer screen or a printout. In humans, the result of information processing is exhibited through behaviour or actions, for example a facial expression, a reply to a question, or body movement. REFERENCES Proctor, R.W. & Vu K.P.L. (2006). The cognitive revolution at age 50: has the promise of the information processing approach been fulfilled' Journal of Human Computer Interaction, 23, 253-284 Sigelman, K.C. & Rider, E.A. (2006). Life-span human development fifth ed. California: Thomson Wadsworth. Brennan, P., & Moos, R. (1991). Functioning, life contexts, and help-seeking among Lateonset problem drinkers: Comparisons with early-onset and problem drinkers. British Journal of Addiction, 86, 1139-1150. Brennan, P. L., Moos, R., & Mertens, J. R. (1994). Personal and environmental risk factors as predictors of alcohol use, depression and treatment seeking: A longitudinal analysis of late-life problem drinkers. Journal of Substance Abuse, 6 191-208. Cohen, S., Kamarack, T., & Mermeistein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24, 385-396. Csikszentmihalyi, M, (1991). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York: HarperCollins. Evans, D. M., & Dunn, N. J. (1995). Alcohol expectancies, coping responses and self-efficacy judgements: A replication and extension of Cooper et al..'s 1988 study in a college sample. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 56, 186-193. Goldberger, L. & Breznitz, S (Eds), 1993, The Handbook of Stress. New York: Free Press. Hirsch, H. K., & Ellis, J. B. (1996). Differences in life stress and reasons for living among college suicide ideators and non-ideators. College Student Journal, 30(3), 377-387.