09.25.06
Miller, P. H. (1993). Information processing theory
Miller, P. H. (1993). Information processing theory
This piece was an overview of information processing theory. The author covered some of the theory’s impact on psychology. It’s introduction of the mind as computer metaphor and how it looks at development (children as microcomputers?). Also, the author covered specific topics that information-processing theory tends to cover like memory and knowledge construction/organization. Also, the different approaches within information processing theory such as computer simulations were covered.
My first semi-formal introduction to this approach was in my Intro Psychology course in undergrad and my reintroduction (more formal this time) was in my Cognitive Psychology course. I didn’t realize that much of how we think of the memory system stems from this approach directly. It makes sense when you step back from it but it’s not something I’ve thought of before. I guess I just accepted the little boxes with arrows between them.
Near the middle of the end of this article I flashed back to my high school’s attempt to teach us computer programming (I was passable but not good at basic, if I remember right). It’s an interesting concept to try to duplicate human thinking through a computer simulation though it is problematic because you can get to the same processes in very different ways so I don’t know that it’s helpful.
