Welford's Model of Information Processing
Overview of the Model
Welford's model is a key framework for understanding how athletes process information and make decisions during sports performance. It's a three-stage model that explains how we take in information, process it, and produce a response.
1. Sensory Input
- Definition: Information gathered from the environment through sense organs.
- Role:
- Provides stimuli for decision-making.
- Includes visual, auditory, tactile, and proprioceptive inputs.
- Examples:
- Seeing the ball in a tennis match.
- Hearing a referee's whistle in football.
2. Sense Organs
- Definition: Specialized structures (e.g., eyes, ears) that detect environmental stimuli.
- Role:
- Act as the entry point for sensory information.
- Convert stimuli into nerve signals for processing.
- Examples: Eyes for vision, ears for sound, skin for touch.
3. Short-Term Sensory Store
- Definition: A temporary storage system holding sensory information for a fraction of a second.
- Role:
- Filters relevant information for further processing.
- Irrelevant information is quickly discarded.
- Capacity: Very large but lasts for less than a second.
4. Short-Term Memory
- Definition: A storage system that holds information for a short duration (about 20–30 seconds).
- Role:
- Allows for conscious manipulation of information.
- Limited capacity (about 7 ± 2 items).
- Examples:
- Remembering an opponent’s last move to anticipate their next.
5. Long-Term Memory
- Definition: A storage system for retaining information over a prolonged period.
- Role:
- Stores learned skills, experiences, and knowledge.
- Helps in decision-making by comparing current input with stored information.
