Information Processing Theory: A Case Study

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Information processing theory The information processing theory is a structure which rationalises how people obtain; process and store information and knowledge (Tangen & Borders 2017, p. 99). The Information processing theory involves the clinical reasoning cycle and the information processing model. The clinical reasoning cycle is a model which guides nurses and other health practitioners in making clinical judgements (Levett-Jones 2018, p. 4). It involves the health professional to gather cues and information, process the information, establish goals, take action and evaluate the outcomes (Levett-Jones 2018, p. 5). This can be used as part of the information processing theory where information and cues are gathered and processed. The clinical …show more content…

99). There are three structures involved in the information processing model; sensory register, short-term store and long-term store (Tangen & Borders 2017, p. 99). The sensory model is a way of attaining information through any of the five senses; smell, sound, taste, sight and touch (Tangen & Borders 2017, p. 101). Most information attained through the senses only lasts for up to three seconds (Tangen & Borders 2017, p. 101). However, if attention is paid to the information, it can be processed to the short-term store/ short term memory (Tangen & Borders 2017, p. 101). If information stored in the short-term memory is not learned and given attention, it will decay over time (Schunk 2012, p. 183). The short-term memory has a small capacity, and large amounts of information cannot all be stored (Schunk 2012, p. 183). To make it esier, information can be shortened or broken up to fit it in the short-term memory (Schunk 2012, p. 183). Information that is used will be transferred into the long-term store/ long-term memory (Schunk 2012, p. 183). There are different strategies to strengthen the memory of information from short-term to long-term. This can be done through repetition, relating it to information already known and organising information into meaningful units (Tangen & Borders 2017, p. 103). The long-term memory is a permanent supply of learnt …show more content…

4). The clinical reasoning cycle assists nursing students in identifying important issues for an individual patient and allows the student to look at the situation from a holistic point of view (Meissner 2011, p. 88). This process of critically analysing and using the memory enables the student to develop experience and a deeper understanding of nursing

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