Which of the following statements is true regarding the information-processing theory?

• A. It suggests that all cognitive processes occur unconsciously and automatically, without any active control.
• B. It argues that memory formation is solely determined by emotional experiences, not by attention or rehearsal.
• C. It proposes that information is processed only in short-term memory and never transferred to long-term memory.
• D. It compares human cognition to the operations of a computer, emphasizing encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that the information-processing theory in psychology is a framework used to explain how humans perceive, process, store, and retrieve information, similar to how a computer operates.
2. Step 2: Recognize that this theory involves key cognitive processes such as encoding (taking in information), storage (maintaining information over time), and retrieval (accessing stored information when needed).
3. Step 3: Evaluate each statement by comparing it to the core principles of the information-processing theory. For example, the theory does not claim that all cognitive processes are unconscious; rather, many require active attention and control.
4. Step 4: Note that memory formation in this theory is influenced by factors like attention and rehearsal, not solely by emotional experiences, which contradicts one of the statements.
5. Step 5: Understand that information-processing theory acknowledges the movement of information from short-term memory to long-term memory, so the statement that information is processed only in short-term memory is incorrect.