The information processing approach views the human mind like a computer with limited cognitive resources. It emphasizes basic mental processes like attention, perception, memory, and decision making. There are three main memory systems - sensory register, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Information is encoded, consolidated, stored, and retrieved. As children develop, their memory improves due to growth in basic cognitive capacities, use of memory strategies, and increased knowledge about memory and the world.

1. Information Processing Approach

2. Contents Overview of the information processing approach Memory systems Information processing in the child

3. Overview Human mind is like a computer Limited capacity associated with ‘hardware’ and ‘software’ - Eg. Hardware of the mind  nervous system, software  strategies, mental ‘programmes’ that affect information processing Emphasizes basic mental processes involved in attention, perception, memory, and decision making

4. Memory systems

5. Memory systems

6. Sensory Register Logs information for about a fraction of a second as a kind of afterimage Much information disappears without further processing If the need to remember is sensed it will be moved into short-term memory

7. Short-term memory Hold limited amount of information for several seconds Passive and active (working memory) Working memory: temporarily stores information while working on it To be remembered for any length of time, information must be moved from short-term memory into long-term memory

8. Long-term memory Relatively permanent store of information Information retrieved from long-term memory

9. Process of learning and remembering

10. Process of learning and remembering Encoding – getting the information into the system Consolidation – information is processed and organized in form suitable for long term storage Storage – holding of information in long-term memory Retrieval – process of getting information out when needed

11. Retrieval Can be accomplished in several ways Recognition memory Eg. Multiple choice questions Recall memory Eg. Open ended questions Cued recall memory Eg. Open ended questions with hint or cue to facilitate retrieval

12. Information Processing in the Child

13. Memory Development Four major hypotheses to explain improvements in learning and memory 1. Changes in basic capacities 2. Changes in memory strategies 3. Increased knowledge about memory 4. Increased knowledge about the world

14. Memory Development Changes in basic capacities Neural advancement in their brains  more working memory space  ability to process information faster Changes in memory strategies Learned and consistently use effective methods for putting information into long-term memory and retrieving it when they need it

15. Memory Development Increased knowledge about memory Know more about memory, eg. Which strategy fits what task Increased knowledge about the world Knowledge makes material to be learned more familiar and easier to learn and remember

16. Memory Strategies Rehearsal Repeating of items to be learned and remembered Organisation Classifying items into meaningful groups Elaboration Actively create meaningful links between items to be remembered

17. Phases of using memory strategies Mediation deficiency Cannot spontaneously use or benefit from strategies despite being taught how Production deficiency Can use strategies taught but do not produce their own strategies Utilisation deficiency Spontaneously produce strategy but task performance does not benefit from strategy Effective strategy use

18. The End!