The information processing model
- Input: the performer takes in information from the environment through the senses (sight, hearing, touch, balance). Selective attention picks out the important information, such as the flight of the ball, and ignores the rest, such as the crowd.
- Decision making: the performer compares the information with memories and chooses a response.
- Output: the chosen movement is carried out, such as swinging the racket.
- Feedback: information about the result comes back, such as seeing where the ball lands, and is used next time.
Memory
- Short-term memory holds a small amount of information for a very short time, so the performer can decide quickly.
- Long-term memory stores learned movements and experiences, so a performer can recall how to do a skill.
- Practice moves skills into long-term memory, which is why experienced players decide faster.
Using the model
- Example: a cricket batter sees the bowler's run-up and ball (input), picks a shot from memory (decision making), plays the shot (output) and sees the result (feedback).
- Faster processing gives a quicker reaction time, so practice and selective attention improve performance.
Key terms
- Input
- Information taken in from the environment through the senses.
- Selective attention
- Focusing on the important information and ignoring the rest.
- Decision making
- Choosing a response using information and memory.
- Output
- Carrying out the chosen movement.
- Feedback
- Information received about the result of an action.
- Long-term memory
- Stores learned skills and experiences for a long time.