Psychology: Information Processing

Understanding Information Processing

Information Processing is like the brain’s way of being a computer. It’s how we take in information, make sense of it, and respond to it.
The process involves four basic stages: Input, Decision Making, Output, and Feedback.
The Input stage is when we pick up information from our environment using our senses.
The Decision Making stage happens when our brain processes the input and makes a decision on what action to take.
The Output stage is the physical response or movement which our body carries out based on the decision made.
The Feedback stage is when the results of the output are evaluated for future reference and learning.

Input, Decision Making, Output, and Feedback: A Closer Look

In the Input stage, we receive information from our senses - seeing, hearing, touching, etc. The more relevant the input, the easier to make a good decision on what action to take.
The Decision Making process happens in our brain. It requires recalling past knowledge and experiences to determine what action should be taken.
The Output stage converts mental decisions into physical actions. This could range from simple movements like walking to complex actions such as performing a high jump.
The Feedback stage is crucial for learning and improving. It is an ongoing process where we continually adjust our decision making and output based on the results of previous actions.

Influence of Experience and Skill Level

Skill level and experience greatly affect the information processing cycle. Skilled athletes, for instance, can process information quickly and accurately due to their experience and practice.
Skill level influences the ability to ignore irrelevant stimuli and to focus on the important ones. This reduces the information load, enhancing the Decision Making process.
Skilled individuals will likely have more effective Output actions as their movements are well-practised and automatic.
Effective Feedback can be acquired through more training and coaching sessions. More practice means more feedback and hence a better ability to build and fine-tune skills.

The Role of Anticipation in Information Processing

Anticipation can speed up the information processing cycle, especially when time is critical.
By predicting an opponent’s action, a player can respond much quicker than if they had to react after the action was made.
However, anticipation can backfire if the predicted action does not take place. For instance, a goalkeeper who anticipates a shot to the left will be poorly positioned if the shot goes to the right.

Limitations in the Information Processing Model

The model assumes that each stage is completely finished before the next one starts. But in reality, these stages often overlap.
The model doesn’t capture how multiple commands can be processed simultaneously.
It does not take into account emotional, motivational and attentional factors that can affect decision making significantly.