Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
automatic processing
Noun
/ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk ˈprəʊsɛsɪŋ/
Definition
Automatic processing refers to the ability to carry out cognitive tasks or operations with little to no conscious effort or attention. This often occurs as a result of practice and familiarity with an activity, allowing it to be performed quickly and efficiently without active control or intentional thought.
Examples
- After years of practice, driving became an automatic processing task for her.
- Reading fluently is an example of automatic processing, where the reader recognizes words swiftly without pausing to decode each one.
Meaning
In the context of psychology and cognitive science, automatic processing describes how certain tasks can become routine and performed with minimal mental effort, enabling individuals to multitask or focus their attention on other activities while still completing these learned tasks.
Synonyms
- unconscious processing
- automatic cognition
- implicit processing
