shallow processing

[/ˈʃæloʊ ˈprɑːsɛsɪŋ/]
noun
processamento superficial
1. A cognitive process involving minimal analysis of information, focusing on surface-level characteristics such as physical appearance, sound, or basic semantic features without deep comprehension or meaningful interpretation
When students engage in shallow processing, they memorize facts without understanding the underlying concepts.
Quando estudantes realizam processamento superficial, eles memorizam fatos sem compreender os conceitos subjacentes.
2. In psychology and education, a learning strategy that emphasizes rapid encoding with limited cognitive effort, typically resulting in poor retention and transferability
Shallow processing of advertising messages leads to quick forgetting after the commercial ends.
O processamento superficial de mensagens publicitárias leva ao esquecimento rápido após o término do comercial.
The term 'shallow processing' is primarily used in academic and psychological discourse in both Brazil and the United States. In educational contexts, it is often contrasted with 'deep processing' to encourage students toward more meaningful learning strategies. This concept emerged from Craik and Lockhart's 1972 research on levels of processing and remains influential in cognitive psychology and educational theory across both English and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
surface-level processingminimal processingcursory analysissuperficial encoding
Antonyms / Antônimos
deep processingelaborative processingmeaningful processingcritical thinking

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
processamento superficial
Standard usage in educational and psychological contexts
Portugal
processamento superficial
Same usage as Brazilian Portuguese; primarily academic terminology
Technical/Academic
processamento de nível superficial
Alternative phrasing emphasizing the level or degree of processing

Related Words

cognitive loadworking memoryencodingretentionCraik and Lockhart levels of processing

Related Idioms & Phrases

scratch the surface
in one ear and out the other
half-baked understanding
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