Final answer:
Controlled processes require conscious, deliberate thought and significant attention, such as searching for misplaced keys, whereas automatic processes need little to no conscious awareness, like recalling a recent meal or habitual driving routes. Controlled processes are slow and focused, while automatic processes are quick and require less cognitive effort.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference Between Controlled and Automatic Processes
The difference between controlled and automatic processes in psychology refers to the level of attention required to perform tasks. Controlled processes involve conscious, deliberate thought and are generally slower, such as when you actively search for misplaced keys. You engage in effortful problem-solving, focusing on certain characteristics like the color or shape in specific locations based on past experiences. This requires substantial cognitive resources and attention.
In contrast, automatic processes operate with little to no conscious thought and are usually faster. An example of an automatic process is recalling what you ate for lunch today or finding your way home on a familiar route without consciously thinking about the directions, sometimes referred to as commuting on 'autopilot.' These processes are encoded without conscious awareness and often involve routine or learned behaviors.
While controlled processes are attention-demanding and exhaustive, automatic processes conserve mental effort and can be executed while simultaneously engaging in other activities.
Attention and Cognitive Effort
Controlled processes are attention-heavy, demanding a significant portion of our cognitive resources, which can lead to fatigue or stress. Automatic processes, however, require significantly less attention and can often be performed while multitasking.
Understanding the distinction between these two types of processes is crucial as they play different roles in learning, memory, and daily functioning. Knowing how to manage and allocate our attention can improve our efficiency in various tasks, whether they are controlled or automatic.