A Study on the Characteristics of Elements and Paths of Information Processing Behavior in Traditional Chinese Medicine of the Elderly postprint

Abstract: [Purpose/significance] Information processing is an important part of the traditional Chinese medicine information processing behavior. The theoretical exploration of the processing behavior is an important prerequisite to improve the information processing ability and information literacy of the elderly. [Method/process] A qualitative design was adopted in this study. Face-to-face semistructured in-depth interview was taken to collect the data. The grounded theory coding analysis as well as constant questioning and comparative strategies were used to analyze the data. [Result/conclusion] The traditional Chinese medicine information processing behavior in the elderly included 3 basic elements (target orientation, basis selection and method choosing, et al) and 19 concrete elements. Combined with Elaboration Likelihood Model and Heuristic Systematic Model, the target orientation and paths of traditional Chinese medicine information processing behavior of the elderly could be divided into three categories:low cognitive effort (peripheral path, mainly using three types of information processing means, those are perception, seeking help and comparation.),high cognitive effort (central path, mainly using reasoning means) and general cognitive effort (both). The information processing behavior was characterized by phasing, difficulty, spatiotemporal target difference, and process development, et al.