Automaticity Information
Automaticity (pronounced /ˌɔːtəməˈtɪsɨti/) is the ability to do things without occupying the mind with the low-level details required, allowing it to become an automatic response pattern or habit. It is usually the result of learning, repetition, and practice.
Examples of automaticity are common activities such as speaking, bicycle-riding, assembly-line work, and driving a car (see Highway hypnosis). After an activity is sufficiently practiced, it is possible to focus the mind on other activities or thoughts while undertaking an automaticized activity (for example, holding a conversation or planning a speech while driving a car). Walking is not an example of automaticity as it is not a cortical function. It is a medullary function, with specific medullary circuits, which can be learnt to be inhibited or altered by higher-order ones.
In Influence, Robert Cialdini's book about social psychology and influence tactics, Cialdini explains how common automatic response patterns are in human behavior, and how easily they can be triggered, even with erroneous cues.[1] He describes an experiment conducted by social psychologists Langer, Chanowitz, and Blank which illustrates how compliant people will be with a request if they hear words that sound like they are being given a reason, even if no actual reason is provided. The experimenters approached people standing in line to use a photocopier with one of three requests:
- "Excuse me. I have 5 pages. May I use the Xerox machine because I'm in a rush?"
- "Excuse me. I have 5 pages. May I use the Xerox machine?" or
- "Excuse me. I have 5 pages. May I use the Xerox machine because I have to make some copies?"
When given the request + reason, 94% of people asked complied with the request. When given the request without a reason, only 60% complied. But when given the request with what sounds like a reason but isn't, compliance jumped back to 93%. Langer, Chanowitz, and Blank are convinced that most human behavior falls into automatic response patterns.[2][3]
LaBerge and Samuels (1974) helped explain how reading fluency develops.[4] Automaticity refers to knowing how to perform some arbitrary task at a competent level without requiring conscious effort—i.e. it is a form of unconscious competence.
Some educational software, like QuickSmart and AgileEye by CogniBeat, incorporate the concept of automaticity. By measuring the consistency of processing speed and accuracy of students' responses, foundation skills can become automatic. As a result, students can devote cognitive effort to higher-order comprehension skills.
See also
References
- ^ Cialdini, R.B. (2001). Influence: Science and practice (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Chapter 1.
- ^ Cialdini, R.B. (2001). Influence: Science and practice (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. p. 4
- ^ Langer, E.J., (1989). Minding matters. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 22). New York, Academic Press.
- ^ Michael Pressley. "Comprehension Instruction: What Works". ReadingRockets. http://www.readingrockets.org/articles/68. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
Sources
- PhysioEx 6.0 – Peter Zao – Timothy Stabler – Greta Peterson – Lori Smith
- Shiffrin, R.M., & Schneider, W. (1977). Controlled and automatic human information processing. II. Perceptual learning, automatic attending and a general theory. Psychological Review, 84(2), 127-190.
- Cialdini, R.B. (2001). Influence: Science and practice (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. p. 4
External links
- Automaticity: A learned advantage at Encyclopedia of Educational Technology
- Automaticity at Encyclopedia of Educational Technology
- Automaticity and Processing Without Awareness
- This online .pdf summarizes the research about automatic processing and controlled processing up to 2003
Categories: Cognitive science | Learning | Educational technology
|