In the information-processing model, what is the first step?

In the context of the information-processing model, the first step is to receive a stimulus input. This initial stage involves the sensory systems detecting external stimuli from the environment, which can include visual, auditory, tactile, and other forms of sensory information. The processing begins here as the sensory information is gathered, allowing the brain to start interpreting and analyzing that data.

Once this input is received, it can then be transformed into a functional representation, leading to further steps in processing, such as considering multiple inputs or generating a response. However, without this crucial first step of receiving the stimulus, there would be no information for the system to process. Understanding this foundational aspect of information processing is essential in the study of cognitive psychology and neuroscience, as it highlights how perception is the starting point of cognition.