parallel processing

information processing in which two or more sequences of operations are carried out simultaneously by independent processors. A capacity for parallel processing in the human brain would account for people’s apparent ability to carry on different cognitive functions at the same time, such as driving a car while also listening to music and having a conversation. The term is usually reserved for processing at a higher, symbolic level, as opposed to the level of individual neural units described in models of parallel distributed processing. Also called simultaneous processing. Compare serial processing.

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Psychology term of the day

May 1st 2024

arousal–performance relationship

the pattern of association between cognitive or physiological arousal (or both) and achievement at physical or cognitive tasks. Also called anxiety–performance relationship. See catastrophe theory; inverted-U hypothesis; reversal theory.