Information processing theory

<p>Information processing theory is the approach to the study of <a href="/facts/Cognitive_development/EfY2fWLR">cognitive development</a> evolved out of the American experimental tradition in <a href="/facts/Psychology/duoqW7Sz">psychology</a>.  <a href="/facts/Developmental_psychologist/Myy826TQ">Developmental psychologists</a> who adopt the <a href="/facts/Information_processing_(psychology)/cbNEeq06">information processing</a> perspective account for mental development in terms of maturational changes in basic components of a child's <a href="/facts/Mind/Y5JhtFj4">mind</a>.  The theory is based on the idea that humans process the information they receive, rather than merely responding to stimuli.  This perspective uses an analogy to consider how the mind works like a computer. In this way, the mind functions like a <a href="/facts/Biological_computer/Vx9fy5Sh">biological computer</a> responsible for analyzing information from the environment.  According to the standard information-processing model for mental development, the mind's machinery includes attention mechanisms for bringing information in, <a href="/facts/Working_memory/kzeDD3KQ">working memory</a> for actively manipulating information, and <a href="/facts/Long-term_memory/NvxgXP2y">long-term memory</a> for passively holding information so that it can be used in the future.  This theory addresses how as children grow, their brains likewise mature, leading to advances in their ability to process and respond to the information they received through their senses.  The theory emphasizes a continuous pattern of development, in contrast with cognitive-developmental theorists such as <a href="/facts/Jean_Piaget/gQQBtbCU">Jean Piaget</a>'s <a href="/facts/Piaget%2527s_theory_of_cognitive_development/2BfVnk1s">theory of cognitive development</a> that thought development occurs in stages at a time.
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Information processing theory open-in-new

Information processing theory