Individual Differences in Automatic and Controlled Information Processing

摘要

This report discusses prediction of individual differences in task performance during and subsequent to task practice. Previous literature indicates that pre-practice prediction of post-practice performance declines rapidly as time-on-task increases (for both simple and relatively complex tasks). Based on these effects, traditional conceptions equating general intelligence with learning ability are inconsistent with performance data. The present approach views practice effects from an information processing perspective. The distinction between two major types of practice effects is outlined and discussed with respect to the automatic and controlled processing framework. The thrust of the discussion of individual differences and practice is predicted on a theoretical organization which draws together theories of the structure of cognitive/intellectual abilities with aspects of resource theory and elements of automatic and controlled processing. A unified theory of practice is presented. The theory relates ability and performance individual differences to task component consistency characteristics. The supporting data of an experimental study of individual differences in initial, intermediate, and final practiced performance stages are reported.