Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist (CHTS) Process Workflow & Information Management Redesign Practice Exam

Which of the following is the first step in the human information-processing model?

1. Data analysis

2. Decision making

3. Sensory registration

4. Information storage

The correct answer is: Sensory registration

The first step in the human information-processing model is sensory registration. This step involves capturing and encoding sensory information from the environment, allowing the brain to become aware of external stimuli. Sensory registration is crucial because it serves as the foundation for all subsequent processing. Only once information has been registered can it be analyzed, stored, and ultimately used for decision-making. By starting with sensory registration, the model outlines how initial perceptions and inputs are gathered before any interpretative or analytical processes occur. This initial stage is essential for ensuring that relevant information is not only noticed but also converted into a form that can be processed further in the cognitive system. Overall, it illustrates the sequential nature of information processing, emphasizing that effective decision-making and data analysis depend on the accurate and efficient registration of sensory inputs first.