PSY 3001 Assignment Controlled and Automatic Processing
PSY 3001 Assignment Controlled and Automatic Processing
Described four characteristics each of controlled and automatic processing.
Explained how the characteristics differ between the two processes.
Provided two examples of a controlled skill and two examples of an automatic skill.
Explained how the selected characteristics apply to your specific examples.
Used correct spelling, grammar, professional vocabulary and APA format.
Every day, we are presented with thousands of pieces of information. Every place we go, every person we meet, and everything we do brings us into contact with new data that we must interpret, analyze, and potentially use. These functions are part of what we call processing. There are two ways in which we process information. They are called controlled processing and automatic processing.
Controlled processing requires us to pay attention and deliberately put in effort. Controlled processing is intentionally done while we are consciously aware of what we are doing. In other words, we actually have to think about what is going on and make decisions. We are in ‘control’ of these processes. For example, when we first learned how to ride a bike, we had to pay attention to what we were doing. We had to be consciously aware of where the brakes were, where the pedals are located, how to stop, how to steer the bike, etc. We purposefully paid attention to all of these things, and we put forth the effort to learn how to ride a bike. Some other examples of controlled processing include the first time a person drives a car, writing a letter to a friend, and answering interview questions.
PSY 3001 Assignment Controlled and Automatic Processing
Automatic processing does not require us to pay attention, nor do we have to deliberately put in effort to control automatic processes. Automatic processing occurs without us giving much thought to it. If we practice something long enough, it becomes automatic. For example, as an experienced bike rider, you may be able to do many bike-riding tasks (i.e. shifting the gears of the bike, braking, and steering) automatically without giving it much thought. You can steer, brake, react to cars on the road, and change speeds because all of the years of practice have made it possible for you to do these things automatically without being consciously aware of what you are doing. Some other examples of automatic processing include playing the piano, walking, and singing a song you are familiar with.