Question

When Fiona was a child, her grandmother taught her to make lasagna. Now, when Nicholas asks Fiona for her lasagna recipe, she realizes she doesn't know the measurements for the ingredients because she always "just makes it." Fiona's ability to cook lasagna without being aware of measuring the ingredients is best described as an example of a. controlled processing b. the global workspace model c. automatic processing d. subliminal perception

Short answer

Fiona's ability to cook lasagna without being aware of measuring the ingredients is best described as an example of automatic processing.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding controlled processing

Controlled processing is a type of cognitive processing that requires conscious effort and attention. It is usually employed when we are learning a new task, and the task requires active mental engagement. In Fiona's situation, her ability to cook lasagna without measuring the ingredients is not an example of controlled processing, since it does not require active mental attention; she just "makes it."

Understanding the global workspace model

The global workspace model is a theory of consciousness that involves the integration of different parts of the brain to create a unified cognitive experience. It is not related to Fiona's ability to cook lasagna without measuring the ingredients. Therefore, this option is not a correct description of the situation.

Understanding automatic processing

Automatic processing is a type of cognitive processing that occurs without conscious awareness and does not require active mental attention. It usually results from a repeated practice of a particular task, making it seem effortless. In Fiona's situation, her ability to cook lasagna without measuring the ingredients is an example of automatic processing, as she can do it without consciously thinking about the measurements. This makes option c the correct answer.

Understanding subliminal perception

Subliminal perception refers to the process by which the brain receives and processes information below the threshold of conscious awareness. It is not related to Fiona's ability to cook lasagna without measuring the ingredients. Thus, this option is not a correct description of the situation.

Answer

Based on the analysis of each term, Fiona's ability to cook lasagna without being aware of measuring the ingredients is best described as an example of: c. automatic processing

Key concepts

Controlled Processing

Controlled processing is akin to learning to drive a car for the first time. It's when your full attention is required, and it often feels like your brain is juggling with several tasks at once. This type of processing is deliberate and requires effort and concentration. Imagine trying to remember the steps to a complex dance routine or solving a challenging math equation. These are instances where you're engaged in controlled processing.

However, as you become more practiced, like Fiona with her lasagna, these tasks become more automatic. In controlled processing, every time you face a novel situation, your brain has to create new neural pathways to deal with it. It's an energy-intensive way of thinking but crucial when we learn new skills or information.

Global Workspace Model

The idea behind the global workspace model is a bit like having a big conference room in your brain where all the different departments (brain regions) come together to share information. This model describes consciousness as a product of various neural processes broadcasting information to this 'workspace' where it becomes available to other systems in the brain.

This is important when we need a unified response to the complex stimuli in our environment. However, this doesn't apply to Fiona's lasagna-making skills. Those actions are not a product of a moment-to-moment consciousness but rather a deeply ingrained skillset – something that doesn't require the entire 'conference' of the brain to pitch in.

Subliminal Perception

Subliminal perception is like having a silent messenger in your brain. It's when stimuli affect your thoughts, feelings, or actions without ever rising to the level of conscious awareness. It's often brought up in discussions about quick flashes of images in a movie or hidden messages in music that we're not consciously aware of but might still affect us.

When it comes to Fiona's culinary prowess, subliminal perception doesn't quite fit the bill. Her cooking skills aren't influenced by hidden messages; they're the result of practice and memory, not subconscious stimuli.

Cognitive Processing

Cognitive processing is an overarching term that encompasses all the mental processes that lead to cognition – or, simply put, thinking. It's the way our brain works when we're paying attention to something, understanding and remembering it, and also when we're not consciously focusing on it. Fiona's lasagna-making is a dance of both – her brain's automatic processing takes the lead while her cognitive processing is the music that guides it.

Whether you're trying to remember a phone number (working memory) or navigating your way through your hometown (long-term memory and spatial awareness), cognitive processing is at play. It's essentially the processing power of your brain put into action to deal with the wide array of tasks we perform – from the highly focused to the routine and automatic.