Automatic to Controlled Processing (core theme of cognition)

Cognitive processing ranges along a spectrum of effort, from automatic to controlled.

• Ex: Once you’ve learned to read, you cannot look at a written word you know and choose not to read it. It happens automatically.
• Ex: Driving somewhere you’ve never been when it’s dark and raining takes more mental effort than driving home on a sunny afternoon.

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Last updated: August 24, 2026 at 3:27 PM