serial processing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serial processing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to computing, psychology, or cognitive science to describe a method of processing information sequentially, one step at a time. Example: "In contrast to parallel processing, serial processing allows the system to handle tasks in a linear fashion, which can be beneficial for certain types of computations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This neatly explains the length × lexicality interaction as the nonwords (which show a strong length effect) are processed exclusively via a serial processing module, whereas the real words are supported largely by a parallel process.

Cognitive Psychology

The IGT was inspired by these seemingly discrepant findings and aims to explain why perceptual grouping is sometimes a parallel process and why it requires serial processing in other situations.

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

All of the cognitive theories described so far rely on what psychologists call the "serial processing of information," meaning that in these examples, cognitive processes are executed in series, one after another.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although we could not draw conclusions from the algorithm-fused imagery, we assumed serial processing of each source was highly improbable, and the process is more likely a type of coactivation.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

First, serial processing is a parsimonious solution to the problem of binding separately processed features to single objects (Treisman & Gelade, 1980).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Besides showing visual difficulties in serial processing of rapid stimuli, it has been demonstrated that children with dyslexia also have difficulties in serial processing of rapid auditory stimuli28, 29.

Nature

Bullier, J. & Nowak, L. G. Parallel versus serial processing: new vistas on the distributed organization of the visual system.

Nature

"Efficient multitasking: parallel versus serial processing of multiple tasks". Frontiers in Psychology 6 (1): 1366.

Harvard University

Parallel and serial processing of multiple tasks are not mutually exclusive.

Harvard University

Overflowing with brainpower -- as though all the minds Cantor investigates were somehow networked and engaged in furious serial processing -- it finds room for heart, too.

The New York Times - Books

Controlled processing is highly demanding of attentional resources, is thought to reflect serial processing, and is strongly dependent on cognitive load32.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing computational efficiency, clearly contrast "serial processing" with "parallel processing" to highlight the trade-offs in speed and resource utilization.

Common error

Avoid using "serial processing" interchangeably with simple sequential tasks in everyday contexts; reserve it for discussions where the order and method of processing are technically relevant, such as in computing or cognitive science.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serial processing" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object within a sentence. It describes a method of handling tasks or information in a sequential manner, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

72%

Academia

16%

News & Media

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "serial processing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe sequential task management. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most common in scientific and academic discussions, contrasting with methods like "parallel processing". While alternatives like "sequential processing" exist, "serial processing" precisely conveys the step-by-step nature inherent in the process. It is important to reserve its use for relevant contexts, and being mindful of its technical implications to avoid misapplication. The consistency of the term across authoritative sources underscores its reliability in professional and scholarly communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sequential processing

This term directly replaces "serial" with "sequential", emphasizing the ordered nature of the process with minimal semantic shift.

Linear processing

Replaces "serial" with "linear", highlighting the straight-line progression of steps in the process.

Step-by-step processing

This clarifies the method by detailing the process as occurring one step at a time.

Consecutive processing

Focuses on the follow-on aspect, where each step comes directly after the other.

One-at-a-time processing

Emphasizes that tasks are handled individually, without overlap.

Single-thread processing

This computing term denotes processing along a single execution path.

Discrete processing

Highlights that each processing unit is separate and distinct.

Ordered processing

Stresses the arrangement or sequence by which steps are undertaken.

Chain processing

This suggests that the processing steps are linked together like a chain.

Iterative processing

Indicates a repetitive cycle of sequential operations.

FAQs

How does "serial processing" differ from "parallel processing"?

"Serial processing" involves handling one task at a time in a sequence, while "parallel processing" allows multiple tasks to be handled simultaneously. Serial is slower but simpler, whereas parallel is faster but more complex.

In what contexts is "serial processing" typically used?

The phrase "serial processing" is commonly used in computer science, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience to describe how information or tasks are handled sequentially, one after the other.

What are some alternative ways to say "serial processing"?

Alternatives include "sequential processing", "linear processing", or "step-by-step processing", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "serial processing" the most efficient method?

No, "serial processing" is generally less efficient than "parallel processing" for complex tasks, but it is simpler to implement and manage, making it suitable for certain applications where speed is not the primary concern.