The Information Processing Model
The four stages a performer goes through to act on information: input from the senses, decision making using memory, output to the muscles, and feedback about the result.
Justify the choices, the way you are assessed
Free interactive practice on the decisions the assessment actually asks you to justify.
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From seeing to doing
When a batsman faces a fast ball, a lot happens in a split second: they take in the sight of the ball, decide what shot to play, send the signal to their muscles, and learn from how the shot turned out. Sports psychologists describe this as the information processing model, a set of four stages. This module works through them in order.
Processing words to know
Learn these four stages before you order them.
Taking in against acting out
The early stages gather and choose; the later stages act and learn.
Name the stage, say what happens
In the exam you may be asked to draw the model in boxes, so learn the four stages in the right order: input, then decision making, then output, then feedback. For each one say what happens: the senses take in cues, memory chooses a response, the muscles act, and feedback tells the performer how it went so they can improve.
Match the stage
- input
- decision making
- output
- feedback
- the senses take in information
- memory helps choose a response
- the muscles carry out the action
- information about how it went
Match the detail
- selective attention
- long-term memory
- the muscles
- intrinsic feedback
- picks out the important cues at input
- stores past experience for decisions
- receive the output to make the movement
- feedback the performer feels themselves
What happens at input?
What happens at the input stage of the model?
- The performer takes in information through the senses.
- The muscles carry out the movement.
- A response is chosen from memory.
- The result of the action is judged.
True about the model
Select the TWO true statements about the information processing model.
- Input comes before decision making
- Memory is used at the decision making stage
- Output is the very first stage
- Feedback is not part of the model
Count the stages left
The information processing model has 4 stages. A learner feels confident with just 1 of them so far. Subtract to find how many stages are still to master. What is the answer?
Order the model
Put the four stages of the information processing model in order, earliest first.
- Input
- Decision making
- Output
- Feedback
Complete the model
The model begins with _____, when the senses take in information. Next comes decision making, which uses _____ to choose a response. The chosen action is the _____, sent to the muscles. Finally the performer gets _____ about how it went.
Spot the input-stage parts
Tap the TWO things that belong to the input stage.
- taking in cues through the senses
- selective attention to key cues
- sending signals to the muscles
- judging the final result
Name the stage
Read each moment and choose the stage of the model.
- A footballer sees the ball and the positions of other players. Which stage is this?
- The player uses past experience to decide to pass rather than shoot. Which stage is this?
- After the pass, the coach tells the player it was well weighted. Which stage is this?
Explain the model
Explain the four stages of the information processing model in order, saying what happens at each one, using a sporting example.
- Name the four stages in the correct order
- Say what happens at input and at decision making
- Say what happens at output and at feedback