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Cited by 7,335Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesVisual Attention and Saliency DetectionVisual perception and processing mechanisms

Controlled and automatic human information processing: II. Perceptual learning, automatic attending, and a general theory

Shiffrin, Richard M., Schneider, Walter·1977·Psychological Review
DOI 10.1037/0033-295x.84.2.127
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Abstract

The two-process theory of detection, search, and attention presented by Schneider and Shiffrin is tested and extended in a series of experiments. The studies demonstrate the qualitative difference between two modes of information processing: automatic detection and controlled search. They trace the course of the learning of automatic detection, of categories, and of automaticattention responses. They 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.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0033-295x.84.2.127

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112 of 112 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The transformation of declarative knowledge into procedural knowledge involves a transition from controlled processing to automatic processing.

    “The transformation of declarative knowledge into procedural knowledge involves a transition from controlled processing, which requires a great deal of attention and use of short-term memory, to automatic processing, which operates on automatised procedures stored in long-term memory (Shiffrin and Schneider, 1977).”

    From Research on form-focused instruction in immersion classrooms: implications for theory and practice (2004) · cites this paper as Shiffrin and Schneider, 1977

  • Controlled processes use working memory capacity and are constrained by the capacity limitations of this system.

    “Since they requires conscious attention, controlled processes use working memory capacity and so are constrained by the capacity limitations of this system (Schneider and Shiffrin, 1977; Shiffrin and Schneider, 1977).”

    From Assimilating complex information (2002) · cites this paper as Shiffrin and Schneider, 1977

  • An adult's ability to discriminate letters from numbers is automatic.

    “Schneider and Shiffrin (1977) and Shiffrin and Schneider (1977) showed that an adult's ability to discriminate letters from numbers is automatic.”

    From Assimilating complex information (2002) · cites this paper as Shiffrin and Schneider (1977)

  • With extensive practise, certain processes become automatic, demanding few if any attentional and processing resources.

    “It seems that with extensive practise, certain processes become automatic, that is they demand few if any attentional and processing resources (Schneider and Shiffrin, 1977; Shiffrin and Schneider, 1977).”

    From Assimilating complex information (2002) · cites this paper as Shiffrin and Schneider, 1977

  • If a participant was using automatic processes to search for a target in a visual search task, if circumstances such as the definition of a target or the type of stimuli used as distracter variables altered, nearly 1000 trials were required to regain the initial performance level of the participants.

    “For example, Shiffrin and Schneider (1977) observed that if a participant was using automatic processes to search for a target in a visual search task, if circumstances such as the definition of a target or the type of stimuli used as distracter variables altered, nearly 1000 trials were required to regain the initial performance level of the participants.”

    From Assimilating complex information (2002) · cites this paper as Shiffrin and Schneider (1977)

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Related

Authors
Shiffrin, R. M., & Schneider, W.
Affiliations
Indiana University Bloomington (US)
ORCID
Shiffrin, Richard M.
Venue
Psychological Review
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
1977-03
Volume
84
Issue
2
Pages
127-190
ISSN
  • 0033-295X (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1471
DOI
10.1037/0033-295x.84.2.127
OpenAlex
W2156046656
Cited by
7,335
References
113
Citations by year
2026: 72 · 2025: 126 · 2024: 128 · 2023: 115 · 2022: 138 · 2021: 157 · 2020: 201 · 2019: 299 · 2018: 182 · 2017: 220 · 2016: 224 · 2015: 216 · 2014: 215 · 2013: 183 · 2012: 214
FWCI
29.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Psychological Review (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition › Visual Attention and Saliency Detection
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
Keywords
two-process theory, automatic processing, controlled processing, perceptual learning, automatic attention, category learning, interference, information processing model

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