Coding and cognitive behaviour.

The concept of coding is used to construct a model of cognitive behaviour: particular attention is paid to the potential usefulness of the model in the applied field. Two major meta-rule systems, the receptivity and economy programs, and a finite processing space, are postulated. A flow diagram outlining some important stages in information processing, and their general sequence, is presented. It is argued that the model may account for both intrinsically and extrinsically motivated behaviour and for the fact that the former is usually of a higher quality and complexity than the latter. Some implications of the model are discussed: in particular, its relevance to the question of what-is-learned, to the possible loci of individual differences in complex learning and to the role of these differences in determining the quality of performance, and to mapping the structure of complex behaviour with a view to improving the efficiency of learning.