(P2.1) Different infomation processing models and their use in my skill

Information processing is how we understand and come to terms with things or stimuli in everyday life, we do it hundreds of times per every second everyday. Despite the fact that we do it so often we have no idea we are doing it, its something we do automatically. Princeton.edu define information processing as 'the sciences concerned with gathering, manipulating, storing, retrieving, and classifying recorded information'. This post will examine and evaluate the different information processing models.

Whiting's model for information processing

Whitings model for information processing explains the process of what happens to the information once you receive it. There are seven steps in whitings model, they are:

• The receptor systems
• The perceptual mechanisms
• The translatory mechanisms
• The effector mechanisms
• The muscular system  
• Intrinsic feedback
• Extrinsic feedback

The Receptor systems

A receptor system is a cell or group of nerve endings that respond to a sensory stimuli. So when you first encounter a stimuli you receive it thought the receptor system. The receptor system then leads to the perceptual mechanisms.

The perceptual mechanisms

 This is where the sensory input takes place. So this is where you first understand the nature of the stimuli, you understand what is happening. For example when someone passes you the ball in football, in order to react in a correct way you first need to understand what is actually happening.

The translatory mechanisms

Since you have comprehended the nature of the stimuli the translatory mechanisms is where you decide how you are going to react to the stimuli. For example someone passes you the ball in football, you decide to control the ball with the outside of your left foot.

The effector mechanisms

Since you have already decided what you are going to do all you need to do now is do it. The effector mechanism is where you put together a motor (movement) plan of how you are going to carry out this action. This plan is then sent to the muscular system.

The muscular system

The motor plan that you have developed is then put into action by the muscular system. For example you actually start to move you foot in order to control the ball.

Intrinsic feedback

This is where you receive feedback instantly, it is provided by proprioception, meaning from what you feel. So for example when you go to control the ball you know instantly whether or not if you have miscontrolled it or not. You don't have to see the results, you can feel what has happened. Another example is when you kick a ball and it comes off the outside of your foot, you don't have to see it, you can feel it.

External feedback

This is the end result of the movement. For example you have fully controlled the ball and you are ready to decide what you are going to do next. You might even be applauded by the crowd, this is another example of external feedback.


Welfords model for information processing

Welfords model for information processing is believes that data if it is seen as relevant goes to the short-term memory where it is compared to past experiences in the long-term memory. Using the long-term memory as a reference the desired action is carried out and then stored in the long-term memory.

The Sensory input

The sensory input is where information that we believe to be relevant to the situation is sent to the short-term memory. However only the information that is seen as relevant is sent to the short-term memory, the rest is discarded. This data is formed three ways, what we hear, see and proprioception (what we sense).

The short-term and long-term memory

Now the information is in the short-term memory, it is believed that your short-term memory can only store seven things for one minute. On the other hand the long-term memory has an unlimited capacity of information relating to previous experiences. The information that is in the short-term memory is compared to the information in the long-term memory, this information is used to come to a desired action.

The action 

The action that you take is then stored away in the long-term memory so that it can be used as a reference later on.

A sporting example of this information processing model at use is someone who is learning and playing rugby for the first time they won't have their long-term memory to use as a reference wont know how to pass the ball correctly. However if you receive some coaching on how to pass the ball correctly that information will be stored in the long-term memory. The next time you play you will draw on those past experiences in your long-term memory and you will know how to pass the ball correctly.   
 There are two main difference between Whiting's and Welford's models. Welford believes that both long and short-term are involved in the processing of information. However on the other hand Whiting believes that memory does not play a part in how we process information. Whiting believes that we process each piece of information and judge it on its own, without the use of past experiences. The other main difference is that in Whiting's model he explains how we do the response (data goes from the effector mechanisms to the muscular system). On the other hand in Welford's model there is no mention of this.  

The use of imformation processing in my skill

How whitings modle for infomation processing was used in my skill.

The input data from display: The subject recieved the input data from my example at the very beggining of the coaching session.

The perceputal mechanisims: Since i have just given the subject a demonstration on what he will be learning, so now he understands what he has to do.

The translatory mechanisims: While i am teaching you the various stages and phases of the movement you need to react correctly to the stimuli. For example after you have pulled the bar up you need to decied to react to flip the elbows.

The effector mechanisims: Since you have now decided how you are going to react you now need to put a motor plan together. For example extending the ankles, knees and hips at the same time.

The muscular system: The muscular system puts this plan together

Intrinsic feedback: Now you are or you have finished the movement, the preformer will have an idea of how he felt the movement went, good or bad.

External feedback: The external feedback will come from someone other than the person who proforms the movement. So all the external feedback came from me while i was coaching.   

How Welfords modle for infomation processing was used in my skill.

The sensory input: So when i taught the stages of the starting posistion each piece of infomation that i gave him went to the short-term memmory because it is deemed as relevant becasue the information will be required to carry out the skill.

Short and long term memmory: The new informatrion that needs to be used to carry out the skill is then compared with the long-term memmory stores inorder for a decision to be made.

The action: Once you have carrided out the action it is stored in the long-term memmory stores so that it can be used as a reference for later on. This explains how the subject could remember stages one and two after he had learned phase three.