5.2 Information Processing and Memory Development
2 min read•august 7, 2024
Babies' brains are like tiny computers, processing and storing information from birth. They start with basic memory systems, gradually developing the ability to hold onto and retrieve information as they grow.
As infants become toddlers, their attention spans grow and they learn through observation. They begin to show signs of both (unconscious learning) and (conscious recall), setting the stage for future cognitive development.
Memory Types and Processes
Information Processing and Memory Systems
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- proposes that the mind works like a computer, taking in information, processing it, and storing it for later
- is a limited capacity system that temporarily holds and manipulates information for cognitive tasks (mental math)
- is a vast store of information and skills that is relatively permanent and has an almost unlimited capacity (childhood memories)
Memory Processes
- is the process of converting information into a form that can be stored in memory
- Infants and toddlers primarily use visual and auditory encoding
- Storage is the process of maintaining information in memory over time
- Repeated exposure and rehearsal help transfer information from working memory to long-term memory
- Retrieval is the process of accessing stored information from memory
- Young children often struggle with retrieval cues and strategies
Attention and Learning
Attention Development
- , the length of time a child can focus on a single task or stimulus, increases with age
- Infants have very short attention spans (a few minutes), while toddlers can attend for longer periods (up to 20 minutes)
- is a decrease in response to a repeated stimulus, indicating that the infant has processed and learned about the stimulus
- Habituation is used as a measure of infant cognition and learning (decreased looking time to familiar stimuli)
Observational Learning
- is the ability to reproduce a previously observed behavior or action after a delay
- Deferred imitation emerges around 6 months and becomes more sophisticated with age (imitating multi-step sequences)
- Deferred imitation demonstrates memory for observed events and is a form of early learning
Implicit and Explicit Memory
Implicit Memory
- Implicit memory is a type of long-term memory that does not require conscious awareness for encoding or retrieval
- Infants and toddlers show evidence of implicit memory through behaviors such as habituation, conditioning, and skill learning (crawling, walking)
- Implicit memory develops early and is relatively stable throughout infancy and toddlerhood
Explicit Memory
- Explicit memory is a type of long-term memory that requires conscious awareness for encoding and retrieval
- Explicit memory includes (facts and knowledge) and (personal experiences)
- Explicit memory develops later than implicit memory, with rudimentary forms emerging in late infancy (recognizing familiar people and objects)
- Toddlers show significant improvements in explicit memory, particularly in the ability to recall and describe past events (talking about a birthday party)
Key Terms to Review (12)
Attention span: Attention span refers to the amount of time a person can focus on a task or activity without becoming distracted. It is a critical aspect of cognitive functioning and is closely linked to information processing and memory development, as it influences how effectively information is encoded, stored, and retrieved.
Deferred imitation: Deferred imitation is the ability to reproduce a behavior after a delay, showcasing that a child can remember and recall an action even when the model is no longer present. This skill is crucial for understanding memory development, as it demonstrates that children can retain information over time and apply it later, highlighting cognitive processes involved in learning. It also reflects the development of symbolic thought, as children begin to mentally represent actions and behaviors they have observed.
Encoding: Encoding is the process of converting information into a form that can be stored in memory. This transformation allows the brain to store and later retrieve the information for use. Encoding involves various methods, such as visual imagery, semantic processing, and organizational strategies, which enhance the likelihood of successful memory retrieval.
Episodic Memory: Episodic memory refers to the ability to recall specific events, experiences, and the context in which they occurred, including the time and place. This type of memory is crucial for personal experiences and is a key component of our overall memory system, allowing individuals to remember unique life events. It plays a significant role in how we process and understand information from our past, influencing both cognitive development and information retention throughout life.
Explicit memory: Explicit memory is a type of long-term memory that involves the conscious recollection of information, facts, and experiences. This memory system allows individuals to actively retrieve and articulate knowledge, which can be further categorized into episodic memory (personal experiences) and semantic memory (general knowledge). Understanding explicit memory is crucial for grasping how people encode, store, and retrieve information as they develop cognitively over time.
Habituation: Habituation is a basic form of learning in which an organism reduces its response to a repeated, benign stimulus over time. This process is significant because it allows individuals to focus on more important stimuli in their environment, filtering out irrelevant information. By gradually becoming desensitized to non-threatening stimuli, organisms can conserve energy and attention for more pertinent events.
Implicit memory: Implicit memory is a type of long-term memory that is not consciously recalled but influences thoughts and behaviors. It includes skills and conditioned responses, allowing individuals to perform tasks without needing to consciously remember the specific details of how to do them. This form of memory is crucial for learning and development, especially in the context of acquiring skills and habits over time.
Information Processing Theory: Information Processing Theory is a cognitive framework that compares human thinking to the way computers process information, focusing on how we encode, store, and retrieve information. This theory highlights the sequential nature of cognitive processes, emphasizing that understanding, memory, and learning develop through specific stages and mechanisms. It connects to developmental psychology by explaining how cognitive abilities evolve over time and impact learning and memory development.
Long-term memory: Long-term memory is a type of storage that holds information for extended periods, ranging from hours to a lifetime. This form of memory is essential for retaining knowledge, experiences, and skills, and it is characterized by its capacity to store vast amounts of information. Long-term memory can be influenced by various factors, such as age, cognitive development, and the strategies used for encoding and retrieval.
Retrieval: Retrieval is the process of accessing and bringing into consciousness information that has been previously encoded and stored in memory. It plays a vital role in how individuals recall past experiences, facts, and learned skills, influencing their overall cognitive functioning and memory development. Effective retrieval can depend on various factors, including the strength of the memory trace, cues available at the time of recall, and the individual’s mental state.
Semantic memory: Semantic memory refers to a type of long-term memory that involves the storage and retrieval of factual information, concepts, and knowledge about the world. This form of memory is crucial for understanding language, recognizing objects, and accessing general knowledge. Semantic memory is distinct from episodic memory, which deals with personal experiences and specific events.
Working Memory: Working memory is a cognitive system responsible for temporarily holding and manipulating information necessary for complex tasks such as learning, reasoning, and comprehension. It involves the active processing of information, allowing individuals to manage and utilize information in real time, which is crucial for various cognitive functions like problem-solving and decision-making.