information processing
Making sense mentally
Information processing is any operation performed on data—collecting, organizing, transforming, storing, or retrieving it.
The term applies broadly: computers process information through algorithms, while human cognition processes sensory input into perception and memory.
The brain's information processing slows as we age.
In business contexts, it often refers to handling data systematically: The company outsourced its information processing to reduce costs.
Finite problem-solving procedure
- CPUMain computing chip
- microprocessorCompact computing circuit
- RAMTemporary data storage hardware
- hardwareMetal goods and fittings
software · binary · programming · database · server · cache · interface · motherboard
Mental interpretation of stimuli
- attentionFocused mental awareness
- memoryMind's retention capacity
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- cognitionMental knowledge acquisition
understanding · comprehension · intelligence · awareness · recognition · interpretation · inference · judgment
Converting data to format
- decodingExtracting meaning from symbols
- transmissionSending of information
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- noiseUnwanted auditory disturbance
bandwidth · channel · filtering · compression · modulation · demodulation · multiplexing · bitrate
Data received for processing
- outputWhat something generates
- storageSpace for keeping goods
- retrievalAct of getting back
- encryptionConverting data into code
decryption · parsing · sorting · query · indexing · transformation · aggregation · normalization
Determining worth or quality
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
scrutiny · investigation · synthesis · breakdown · dissection · classification · inference · deduction
algorithm
Finite problem-solving procedure
- CPUMain computing chip
- microprocessorCompact computing circuit
- RAMTemporary data storage hardware
hardware · software · binary · programming · database · server · cache · interface · motherboard · networking
perception
Mental interpretation of stimuli
- attentionFocused mental awareness
- memoryMind's retention capacity
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
cognition · understanding · comprehension · intelligence · awareness · recognition · interpretation · inference · judgment · insight
encoding
Converting data to format
- decodingExtracting meaning from symbols
- transmissionSending of information
- signalMessage-conveying cue
noise · bandwidth · channel · filtering · compression · modulation · demodulation · multiplexing · bitrate · protocol
input
Data received for processing
encryption · decryption · parsing · sorting · query · indexing · transformation · aggregation · normalization · validation
evaluation
Determining worth or quality
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
examination · scrutiny · investigation · synthesis · breakdown · dissection · classification · inference · deduction · induction
- cognitionthinking, reasoning, thought, cognition, remembering
- cognitive sciencecognitive psychology, cognitive science, cognitive development, cognitive load, cognitive maps
- memoryremember, forget, recall, memorize, recollect
- thinking skillslogic, logical thinking, logical reasoning, reasoning, reason
- ergonomicsergonomic chair, ergonomic keyboard, ergonomics, lumbar support, wrist rest
- pedagogyteaching methods, teaching, teaching strategies, teaching models, teaching techniques
information processingdata storage
Retaining digital information
information storage · data retrieval · data collection · raw data · memory storage
information processingintuition
Instinctive immediate understanding
gut feeling · instinct · chaos · stream of consciousness · free association
information processingidle state
Inactive but available condition
inform, information, informed, processed, processing, uninformed, informative, informant, processes