Basic Information Processing Model (AQA GCSE Physical Education (PE))

Revision Note

Naomi Holyoak

Written by: Naomi Holyoak

Reviewed by: Lára Marie McIvor

Basic Information Processing Model

  • During the progress of a sporting event, a performer will need to make many decisions, such as:

    • Which skill to employ

    • When to use a particular skill

    • How to carry out the chosen skill, e.g. pace, direction, power

  • Any decision made by a performer will be based on the specifics of their situation

  • The decision-making described here is known as information processing; it involves gathering information about a situation, and then making an appropriate decision

  • The basic information processing model involves:

    • Input

    • Decision-making

    • Output

    • Feedback

Basic information processing model diagram

A flow diagram linking input, decision making, output and feedback in a continuous loop

The basic model of information processing has four parts; input, decision-making, output and feedback

Basic information processing model table

Description

Example

Input

A performer takes in information from their surroundings using their senses

More experienced performers will be able to select the most relevant information; this is selective attention

In cricket, a performer might be aware of the path of the ball and the location of other players on the field

Decision-making

A performer uses information from long and short term memory to select an appropriate response

Long term memory will be used for recall of learned skills and similar situations from the past

Short term memory will be used to recall the details of the current situation at the moment

A cricketer may recall a similar situation from a previous match or from training, as well as the current path of the ball; this information will determine the type of catch chosen

Output

Information is sent to a performer's muscles, telling them to contract to bring about a particular action

Muscles in the cricketer's arms and legs contract to allow them to move into position and catch the ball

Feedback

Information about the success, or otherwise, of the output is gathered; this may be the performer's own opinion, known as intrinsic feedback, or feedback given by others, known as extrinsic feedback

This information goes into long term memory and may be drawn upon in the next round of decision making

The cricketer catches the ball and the spectators cheer, indicating successful decision making

Examiner Tips and Tricks

You could be asked to draw out the basic information processing model and/or apply this model to a real-life situation, as in the cricketing example given above. Make sure that you are confident enough in your knowledge of the model to be able to do this

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Naomi Holyoak

Author: Naomi Holyoak

Expertise: Biology

Naomi graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has 8 years of classroom experience teaching Key Stage 3 up to A-Level biology, and is currently a tutor and A-Level examiner. Naomi especially enjoys creating resources that enable students to build a solid understanding of subject content, while also connecting their knowledge with biology’s exciting, real-world applications.

Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.