From the information-processing perspective, which change signals cognitive development?

• A. Increased working memory
• B. Decreased processing speed
• C. Loss of strategies
• D. Less automatic processing

Answer: (A)

From an information-processing standpoint, cognitive development is signaled by an increased working memory capacity. As children grow, their ability to hold and manipulate more information in working memory expands, enabling them to keep multiple steps in mind, follow complex rules, and plan ahead for problem solving. This growth supports more advanced reasoning and learning overall. The other changes described—slower processing speed, loss of strategies, or less automatic processing—reflect declines or regressions rather than development, and in fact development often brings greater automaticity and efficiency in processing.