Language and ThoughtChapter 8

Cognition – The mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge

— or simple version —

Cognition – “Thinking”

Definitions

Meta-Cognition – Thinking about thinking

Definitions

This chapter can leave students feeling like the little creature in the comic strip.

Meta-cognition is not easy for everyone.

In fact, the ability to contemplate and structure one’s own thoughts does not develop until close to adolescence.

Not all adults develop these cognitive skills.

?

??

?

Some of the stereotypical behaviors of adolescence are the result of young adults applying and expanding their new cognitive skills.

The oft-repeated phrases “you have no idea” or “nobody understands me” may reflect their new awareness of complex levels of thought.

However, not all adolescents or adults enjoy thinking. Some of us avoid thinking.

Let’s see how you respond to a paradox.

Intrigued? Do you enjoy the circularity?

If the sentence is false, then that means it isn’t false, meaning that the sentence is true, but then it is false, which means it is true…

Not amused? Is the following more amusing?

More your style of humor?

People differ in the degree to which they enjoy and engage in cognitive activities.

Need for Cognition

Some people are high in need for cognition, meaning that they like cognitive puzzles, seek them out, and enjoy working on them.

Motto:We’ve got to think this through.

Need for Cognition

Other people are low in need for cognition. They do not like cognitive puzzles, and avoid tasks or topics that require careful consideration.

Motto:Don’t over think things.

Need for Cognition

Think about where you fit on the continuum?

Low Need for Cognition

High Need for Cognition

Moderate Need for Cognition

For this chapter, I recommend everyone approach the topics as if you loved thinking about complex

puzzles

Low Need for Cognition

High Need for Cognition

Moderate Need for Cognition

If you Aren’t Here Already,

Pretend that You Love to Think!

This chapter is about language and thought.

We need you to think about thinking!

Let’s exercise our meta-cognitive skills.

Language

Imagine being instantly transported onto another planet, into an alien world. Everything is new and unfamiliar.

Aliens approach you and make noises.

How in the worldwill you learn to understand them?

Virtually every human baby does this.

Not only do they enter an alien world and begin to make sense of it, they do so with amazing speed.

They accomplish all of this without special training or instruction.

As you read through this chapter, keep in mind that language is an essential component for many of the topics throughout the rest of your textbook.

We are not born with language; we have to learn it.

Watching children master the stages of language development can be amazing and precious.

Knowing what to look for can make the process all the more enjoyable.

Through family and friends, most of us will get an opportunity to watch a child master language. Some of the skills are so subtle that if you didn’t know what to look for, you might miss them!

Now that we’ve introduced language,Let’s explore how psychologists can study thought.

Problem Solving&

Decision Making

The remainder of your readings for this chapter focus on two topics that seem very similar.

The sections on problem solving focus on how people work toward achieving goals that are not readily attainable.

Problem Solving

Repeatedly throughout our lives, we face or set goals that are just out of our reach.

Problem Solving

How do we solve these problems?

Think about it.

How does the human mind come up with new, novel, and previously unknown solutions?

As you read, these are your primary study questions:

Problem Solving: Topics

What are several types of problems?

What can get in the way of finding solutions?

What are several strategies to use to find solutions?

What are two cultural differences that affect problem solving?

Problem Solving: Topics

Decision Making

Not all of your thoughts are about reaching goals that are not immediately attainable.

Sometimes, your mental effort is about making decisions.

Preferences

Some decisions only involve weighing known options, or making choices about preferences.

Two Main Types of Decision Making

Risky Decisions

Other choices involve choosing between unknowns, or taking chances.

Two Main Types of Decision Making

This research can be extremely fun. Early researchers found that people do not always make logical choices. In fact, we can be predictably irrational.

As you read through these sections of your text, try to find examples of each phenomenon.

Look for examples in your own life, family members, friends, colleagues, or even from TV show or movie characters.

There are a lot of terms to memorize, so use all of your tools for elaborating and enriching encoding.

The topics from this chapter can help you develop your skills for problem solving and help you increase your chances for making better decisions.

(as well as help you pass the next exam)

Study Time

Language

Problem Solving

Decision Making

Study Time