An interactive model of strategic processing

With the popularization of an information-processing approach to the study of cognition, developmental and cognitive psychologists have been interested in specifying the processes (or processing deficiencies) that determine the level and characteristics of performance. For example, when either very competent or very poor performance is exhibited, what are the processes or processing deficiencies that influence the level of performance? In order to explore this issue, a comparative approach contrasting performance from such groups as novices and experts within a given domain, children of different ages, or learning-disabled and nondisabled children is often used. This methodology permits the uncovering of particular processes that are responsible for variations in performance proficiency. Such research is of interest to psychologists and practitioners working with learning-disabled children who want to understand the causes of the low levels of performance, as well as suggest possible methods of remediation.