Patterns of Organization
The Structure of the Information-Processing System
[1] Most general models of the human information-processing system divide the mind into three basic parts: the sensory register; working, or short-term memory; and long-term memory. As information flows through each, we can operate on and transform it using mental strategies , increasing the efficiency of thinking and the chances that we will retain information for later use.
To understand this more clearly, let's take a brief look at each aspect of the mental system.
[2] First, information enters the sensory register , where it is represented directly and very briefly.
However, by using mental strategies, we can preserve selected sights and sounds. For example, you can attend to some information more carefully than others, increasing the chances that it will transfer to the next step of the information-processing system.
[3] The second part of the mind is working , or short-term, memory . This is the conscious part of our mental system, where we actively "work" on a limited amount of information. For example, if you are studying this book effectively, you are constantly applying mental strategies. Perhaps you are taking notes, repeating information to yourself, or grouping pieces of information together —a strategy much like Piaget's notion of organization. Organization is an especially effective way to remember the many new concepts flowing into your working memory at the moment. If you permit information to remain disconnected, you can hold very little in working memory at once, since you must focus on each item separately. But organize it, and you will not just improve your memory.
You will increase the chances that information will be transferred to the third, and largest, storage area.
[4] Long-term memory is our permanent knowledge base. Its capacity is limitless. In fact, we store so much in long-term memory that we sometimes have problems with retrieval, or getting information back from the system. To aid retrieval, we apply strategies, just as we do in working memory. Think about how information in your long-term memory is arranged. It is categorized according to a master plan based on contents, much like a library shelving system based on the contents of books. As a result, it can be retrieved quite easily by following the same network of associations used to store it in the first place.
Berk, L.E. (2001) Development Through the Lifespan , 2/e, Boston, Allyn & Bacon, p. 156-157.
1 .
One pattern of organization used throughout this passage is definition. [
True
False
2 .
Another pattern of organization used throughout this passage is sequence.

True
False
3 .
The sensory register only holds memory briefly unless mental strategies are used to preserve the information while it is being transferred to working memory.
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False
4 .
The three basic parts of the human information processing system are working memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
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False
5 .
We can actively "work" on limited amounts of information in the shortterm memory.
True
False
6 .
Grouping pieces of information together is a mental strategy used to organize information.
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False
7 .
Organization has no effect on how much we can remember when we have many new ideas entering working memory at the same time.
True

False
8 .
The things that we remember for a lifetime are stored in the sensory register.
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False
9 .
Information in long-term memory is categorized just as information in a library is catalogued.
True
False
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10 We can recall information easily if we make the same associations that we used to store it in long-term memory.
True
False