Basic Information Precessing Model

• During the progress of a sporting event, a performer will need to make many decisions, such as:

  • Which skill to employ
  • When to use a particular skill
  • How to carry out the chosen skill, e.g. pace, direction, power
• The basic information processing model involves:

  • Input
  • Decision-making
  • Output
  • Feedback
• Input description

  A performer takes in information from their surroundings using their senses.

  More experienced performers will be able to select the most relevant information; this is selective attention
• Input example

  In cricket, a performer might be aware of the path of the ball and the location of other players on the field
• Decision-making description

  A performer uses information from long and short term memory to select an appropriate response.

  Long term memory will be used for recall of learned skills and similar situations from the past.

  Short term memory will be used to recall the details of the current situation at the moment.
• Decision-making example

  A cricketer may recall a similar situation from a previous match or from training, as well as the current path of the ball; this information will determine the type of catch chosen
• Output description

  Information is sent to a performer's muscles, telling them to contract to bring about a particular action
• Output example

  Muscles in the cricketer's arms and legs contract to allow them to move into position and catch the ball
• Feedback description

  Information about the success, or otherwise, of the output is gathered; this may be the performer's own opinion, known as intrinsic feedback, or feedback given by others, known as extrinsic feedback.

  This information goes into long term memory and may be drawn upon in the next round of decision making
• Feedback example

  The cricketer catches the ball and the spectators cheer, indicating successful decision making