What is the difference between automatic processing and effortful processing?
A) Automatic processing doesn't allow for multitasking and effortful processing does.
B) Automatic processing doesn't require undivided attention and effortful processing does.
C) Automatic processing benefits from extra effort and effortful processing doesn't.
D) Automatic processing encodes sensory information and effortful processing encodes cognitive information.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The main difference between automatic processing and effortful processing is the amount of attention required. Automatic processing occurs without conscious awareness and does not require undivided attention, while effortful processing requires conscious awareness and undivided attention. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect as multitasking is not related to either type of processing. Option C is incorrect as extra effort benefits effortful processing, but not automatic processing. Option D is incorrect as both types of processing can encode both sensory and cognitive information, it is the amount of attention that differs.

What Is the Difference Between Automatic Processing and Effortful Processing