Information Processing

Information processing system (IPS) theory views human cognitive behavior, thinking, and problem-solving as an activity that involves encoding, manipulating, storing, and acting on information acquired from the environment and that is produced internally. IPS theory hypothesizes that there are structures such as memories, processors, receptors, and effectors that create and process internal representations called symbol structures. This entry begins with a short history of IPS theory. It then describes the nature of the changes in [Page 1141]information processing capability across the life span, focusing on working memory, speed of processing, and strategy changes.