Information Processing Theory: A Psychology Analysis and Review

This essay provides a concise overview of the information processing theory in psychology, which views the human mind as an information processor, similar to a computer. It delves into the theory's key assumptions, such as the systematic transformation of information, and highlights research evidence supporting parallel processing. The application of this theory is explored, including its relevance to computer studies and systems beyond the individual. The essay also addresses the constraints of the theory, such as the difficulty in creating a matrix of human errors and retaining large amounts of information. Furthermore, it contrasts the cognitive and constraint-based approaches, emphasizing the importance of understanding human behavior. Finally, the essay discusses the serial and parallel processing of stimuli and the limited analogy between computer functioning and human cognition and provides relevant references.

Psychology

Information processing theory
It is defined as the approach to the cognitive development study which is evolved out of the
American traditional in psychology. The information processing is used for mental development
in terms of maturational changes which is used as a basic component of a children’s mind
(Sweller et al., 2016). It is based on the idea that the human process the information which they
receive rather than stimuli. The cognitive psychology helps to compare the computer with the
human mind, and it suggests that the humans are also information processors.
Key assumptions
1. The information is transformed from processing system in various systematic ways
(Leahy et al., 2016).
2. Information processing of humans is similar to the computer.
3. The aim of the study is to specify the structure and process which underlie cognitive
performance.
4. The information which is retrieved from the environment is processed by the series of the
processing system.
Research evidence
There is evidence from dual task experiments that the parallel processing is possible.

Application
It can be utilized in the study of the computer. It can be applied to a system which is beyond the
individual.
Constraints
The consensus is impossible to achieve at the time of creating a matrix of human errors. A
limited amount of information can be retained. It is difficult to predict that in the process of a
particular task is under parallel fashion or serial because it mainly depends upon the amount of
practice on the particular task (Rao et al., 2016).
Key concept
The key concept is that the mind of humans is like an information processor rather than the
behaviorist notions in which humans merely a response to the stimuli.
Cognitive vs. Constraint-based approaches
The cognitive approach in psychology is a modern approach to the human behavior which is
mainly focus on the thinking approach of an individual which impacts on the behavior of an
individual for example biological approach which shows that the influence of genetics and
imbalance of chemical on the behavior of an individual (Rodriguez et al., 2016). It is used to
develop the rules and description of human behavior then it generalized on individual behavior.
Whereas the constraint-based approach is promoted as a framework in order to understand the
acquiring movement skills of adults and children's for exercise and sports (Pezzulo et al., 2016).

The constraint-based approach is used to determine the nature of interacting constraints which
influence the skills acquisition among the learners.
Application of constraints
The serial processing of stimuli inputs assessment is assumed serial processing and parallel
processing which is used to evaluate the information processing theory. The analogy between the
computer functioning and human cognition is adopted by the information processing approach is
limited. The evidence of the theory is based on the experiments, and most of the laboratory
studies are the lack of ecological validity.

References
Rodriguez, C. M., Smith, T. L., & Silvia, P. J. (2016). Multimethod prediction of physical
parent–child aggression risk in expectant mothers and fathers with Social Information Processing
theory. Child abuse & neglect, 51, 106-119.
Rao, Z. (2016). Language learning strategies and English proficiency: interpretations from
information-processing theory. The Language Learning Journal, 44(1), 90-106.
Sweller, J. (2016). Cognitive Load Theory, Evolutionary Educational Psychology, and
Instructional Design. In Evolutionary Perspectives on Child Development and Education (pp.
291-306). Springer International Publishing.
Leahy, W., & Sweller, J. (2016). Cognitive load theory and the effects of transient information
on the modality effect. Instructional Science, 44(1), 107-123.
Pezzulo, G., Vosgerau, G., Frith, U., Hamilton, A., Heyes, C., Iriki, A., ... & Rupert, R. (2016).
Acting up: An approach to the study of cognitive development.