Automatic Processing

Automaticity - Information can also be processed with little or no allocation of attention resources. This phenomenon is termed "automaticity" or automatic processing. When skills are learned to the point of automaticity, the load on working memory typically is reduced by 90%.* This occurs after extensive practice of a task so that, literally, it can be performed "without thought." Keyboarding is an example, when it can be performed without "thought" as to the position of the keys. Driving is another example, although "automaticity" in driving can lead to unforeseen occurrences such as when you intend to drive to a friend's house after work and find that you have arrived at your home instead!

Tasks learned to the point of "automaticity" are not easily changed by conscious control. An example is when you are used to driving a car with the shift on the floor and then rent a car with the shift on the column. You find yourself continuing to reach for the floor shift. This "downside" of automaticity must be considered carefully in the design or modification of safety critical controls. If one is "used to" a specific position and means of activation of a control, moving that control or changing its means of activation could result in the loss of critical seconds in response to an emergency.

During Skill Acquisition	After Skill Automaticity
fMRIs - Differences in Brain Activation Transition from Working Memory & Attentional Control to Sensory & Motor Processing*

Typically, skills learned to the point of automaticity are also difficult to describe. For example, once you have learned to ride a bicycle you have learned the skill for life, and it is difficult to describe to someone else how it is accomplished.

*Schneider, W. (2003), "Automaticity in complex cognition," Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging at Carnegie Mellon University.