Walter Schneider’s research while affiliated with University of Illinois Chicago and other places

Comments on P. W. Cheng's (see record 1985-29947-001) hypothesis concerning categorization as an explanation of improved task performance that was presented as an alternative to the automatization hypothesis of the present authors (see PA, Vol 58:305; see also Shiffrin and Schneider, PA, Vol 57:4785). The present authors note that they carried out several critical studies showing that the categorization hypothesis was correct but also showing conclusively that it and several related hypotheses were insufficient to explain a number of key findings. The authors reiterate evidence providing a definitive demonstration of automatization. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

The authors range from irrelevant to incorrect, based on a brief review of data from the present authors' 2 articles and on more recent publications. The evidence Ryan discusses comes from the prememorized-list paradigm, a paradigm that undoubtedly involves automatic and controlled processes but probably not automatic detection and controlled search. It is suggested that a variety of mechanisms consistent with the authors' general theory, some automatic and some controlled, could be operating in the prememorized-list paradigm and can explain the observed results. (32 ref)

Automatic/controlled processing theory is reviewed with emphasis on applications to research on attention. Automatic/controlled processing theory assumes that human performance is the result of two qualitatively different processes; automatic and controlled processing. Automatic processing is a fast, parallel process not limited by short term memory. Automatic processing uses little subject effort, permits little direct subject control, but requires extensive and consistent training to develop. Controlled processing is a comparatively slow, serial process limited by short term memory. Controlled processing requires subject effort, permits a large degree of subject control, but needs little training to develop. Attention paradigms discussed include selective attention, focused attention, and attentional capacity. Conclusions from the application of automatic and controlled processing determines performance; paradigms suggest that: (1) performance differs to the degree that automatic or controlled processing determines performance; (2) performance improves with extensive consistent practice; (3) automatic processes are difficult to control; and (4) capacity reductions primarily harm controlled processing. The development of automatic processing is examined, and performance is seen to improve as a function of consistent executions.

Tested the 2-process theory of detection, search, and attention presented by the current authors (1977) in a series of experiments. The studies (a) demonstrate the qualitative difference between 2 modes of information processing: automatic detection and controlled search; (b) trace the course of the learning of automatic detection, of categories, and of automatic-attention responses; and (c) show the dependence of automatic detection on attending responses and demonstrate how such responses interrupt controlled processing and interfere with the focusing of attention. The learning of categories is shown to improve controlled search performance. A general framework for human information processing is proposed. The framework emphasizes the roles of automatic and controlled processing. The theory is compared to and contrasted with extant models of search and attention. (31/2 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

A 2-process theory of human information processing is proposed and applied to detection, search, and attention phenomena. Automatic processing is activation of a learned sequence of elements in long-term memory that is initiated by appropriate inputs and then proceeds automatically--without S control, without stressing the capacity limitations of the system, and without necessarily demanding attention. Controlled processing is a temporary activation of a sequence of elements that can be set up quickly and easily but requires attention, is capacity-limited (usually serial in nature), and is controlled by the S. A series of studies, with approximately 8 Ss, using both reaction time and accuracy measures is presented, which traces these concepts in the form of automatic detection and controlled search through the areas of detection, search, and attention. Results in these areas are shown to arise from common mechanisms. Automatic detection is shown to develop following consistent mapping of stimuli to responses over trials. Controlled search was utilized in varied-mapping paradigms, and in the present studies, it took the form of serial, terminating search. (60 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)