Positive information is seen as more similar to each other and is often processed heuristically when compared to negative information.

Valence Asymmetries and Similarities in Processing

Concerns differences in how we process positive and negative information

Alma College

- Dual systems: System 1 (automatic) and system 2 (controlled)
- Hierarchical processing
- Load theory of attention
- Differences in Processing Positive and Negative Information

Focuses of research on processing

People ignore distracting stimuli through two factors:
- Perceptual load
- Processing capacity

Load theory of attention

Humans use two distinct cognitive systems:
- System 1 is fast, intuitive, unconscious and automatic.
- System 2 is slow, reflective, conscious and controlled.

Dual systems of cognition

There exists a progression of processing that starts at lower-level areas of the brain and moves to higher-level areas. These lower-level areas respond to simple stimuli and send their feedback to areas in charge of more complex tasks in pursuit of eventually forming a representation.

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