What does the information processing approach to intelligence primarily focus on?

The information processing approach to intelligence is centered on understanding how individuals perceive, interpret, and use information. It emphasizes the mental processes involved in cognition, including attention, memory, and problem-solving strategies. This approach studies how sensory information is transformed into meaningful patterns that are then analyzed and manipulated by the mind.

In contrast to other approaches that may focus on genetic or environmental influences, the information processing model is keenly interested in the cognitive mechanisms behind intelligence—such as how we encode, store, and retrieve information. This perspective also examines the different cognitive strategies people employ when solving problems or making decisions, highlighting the importance of processing speed, efficiency, and the organization of information in the development of intelligence.