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SPEED OF MENTAL PROCESSING
Processing speed is a cognitive ability that could be defined as the time it takes a
person to do a mental task. It is related to the speed in which a person can understand
and react to the information they receive, whether it be visual (letters and numbers),
auditory (language), or movement.
In other words, processing speed is the time between receiving and responding to a
stimulus.
Slow or poor processing speed is not related to intelligence, meaning that one does not
necessarily predict the other. Slow processing speed means that some determined tasks
will be more difficult than others, like reading, doing math, listening and taking notes, or
holding conversations. It may also interfere with executive functions, as a person with
slow processing speed will have a harder time planning, setting goals, making decisions,
starting tasks, paying attention, etc.
Processing speed implies a greater ability to easily do simple or previously-learned tasks.
This refers to the ability to automatically process information, which means processing
information quickly and without doing it consciously. The higher the processing
speed, the more efficient you are able to think and learn.
Processing speed is the time that lapses from when you receive information until you
understand it and start to respond.
Examples of cognitive processing speed
Processing speed could be used in exercises when recognizing simple visual patterns,
visual exploration tasks, taking tests that require simple decision making, doing basic
mathematical calculations, manipulating numbers, or doing a reasoning task under
pressure.
Some examples that may be identified with slow processing speed are: Does it take you
an hour to do an assignment that takes others only 30 minutes? Do you have a hard time
following instructions or planning a specific activity, especially when you don't have a lot
of time to finish it?
How can you detect cognitive processing speed deficits?
You will have the ability to efficiently gather reliable results about the user's cognitive
processing speed.
There are numerous “mind games” you can play, and some are listed at the end of this
Warren Potent
2014 World Champion
article. 2014 Commonwealth Champion
Warren uses Eley Tenex Ammunition
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