Thinking and Language

Thinking Going beyond memory…How do we think? How do we solve problems? How do we create ideas? If storage and retrieval were the only processes we used to handle information, we would be little more than glorified cameras and VCR’s. Yet, we have the ability to do something with this information…But how?

Thinking Thinking: Changing and reorganizing the information stored in memory to create new information. For example, we are able to put together any combination of words from memory and create sentences never thought of before…Like this one: “I said a hip hop, hippie to the hippie, the hip, hip a hop, and you don't stop, a rock it to the bang bang boogie, say, up jump the boogie, to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat.”

Units of Thought The process of “thought” depends on multiple different units: Images, Symbols, Concepts, Prototypes, and Rules! Let’s begin with Images shall we?

Units of Thought What is an Image? Image: A visual, mental representation of an event or object. This visual representation is not usually an exact copy, but highlights of the original. For example, if you try to remember a relative who has died a long time ago, you probably remember a few details, but not the entire image.

Units of Thought The second unit of thought is the symbol. Symbol: A symbol is an abstract unit of thought that represents an object or a quality. The most common symbols in thinking are words; almost every word is a symbol that stands for something other than itself.

Units of Thought When a symbol is also used as a label, it is known as a concept. Concept: A label for a class of objects or events that have at least one attribute in common. Animals, music, and beautiful people are all examples of concept based on the common attributes of the objects in each category. The idea of a concept merely separates one category from another. Concepts allow us to “chunk” large amounts of information!

Units of Thought When we think of a concept, we often think of a representative example of it. For example, when you think of a vehicle (concept), you might picture a car or a truck (Prototype). Prototype: A representative example of a concept. Sweeeeet! Haha

Units of Thought A more complex unit of thought is called a rule! Rule: A statement of relation between concepts. Whaaaaaa? Example: A person cannot be in 2 places at the same time.

Kinds of Thinking People think in several different ways! Directed Thinking: a systematic and logical attempt to reach a specific goal or answer, such as a solution to a math problem. This type of thinking is also called convergent thinking. Nondirected Thinking: Consists of a free flow of thoughts with no particular plan and depends more on images. This type of thinking is also called divergent thinking.

Kinds of Thinking People who are nondirect thinkers often daydream frequently, and have fantasies. People who are direct thinkers often seek out information in a logical and pattern-like way.

Fantasmic…No, we are not going to watch all 24 minutes…Sorry!

Kinds of Thinking The third and final type of thinking is metacognition. Metacognition: The awareness of one’s own cognitive processes. In other words, this is “thinking about thinking.” Example: When you try to solve a problem that you cannot, thinking about your strategy may cause you to change to another strategy.

Problem Solving One of the main functions of “Directed Thinking” is to solve problems. Every individual solves problems in a different manner, but most use some of, if not all of, the same strategies. Some people may break a large problem down into smaller issues. Some people may combine smaller issues to make one large problem. So what are some of the ways to solve a problem?

Problem Solving Algorithm: A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem. Mathematical and Scientific formulas are algorithms. Example: E=Mc2

Problem Solving Heuristics: A rule-of-thumb problem solving strategy. Heuristics simplify a problem in an attempt to make it easier and quicker to solve. Example: If a friend comes to you with a problem, you might use what you have learned in a prior situation to help the friend. Problems with this?

Obstacles to Problem Solving There are times when you use strategies so much, that they become permanent in our problem solving process. When a particular strategy becomes a habit, it is called a mental set. Mental Set: A habitual strategy or pattern of problem solving. Example: Someone playing checkers may always attempt to control the back row of the board. This is fine if it works, but what happens if it begins to fail?

Obstacles to Problem Solving Functional Fixedness: The inability to imagine new functions for familiar objects. Give me some examples! Mount a Candle on the wall with the items shown! How would you grasp both strings as the same time?

Creativity Creativity: The capacity to use information and/or abilities in a new and original way! All problem solving requires some creativity! Certain people simply create more beautiful, brilliant, or efficient works. Psychologists still cannot fully explain why this is.

Flexibility Flexibility: The ability to overcome rigidity. Question: How many uses can you imagine for this paperclip? Please write them down and number them! The more you can come up with…The more “flexible” you are!

Recombination Recombination: Rearranging the elements of a problem to arrive at an original solution. For example, in most sports there are no “new” moves, just recombinations of old ones! Many people say that “no great work has ever been created without the use of another.”

Recombination

Insight Insight: The apparent sudden realization of the solution to a problem. Insight usually occurs when problems have proved resistant to all problem-solving efforts and strategies. Example: You reach a “high point” of frustration with a task and abandon it. You are driving home and “all of a sudden” figure out the solution to the problem!

Language Iguanas are cool!

The Structure of Language Do you ever talk to yourself? Some people talk to themselves when they are thinking or solving a problem. When we are talking or thinking to ourselves, we are actually using language!

The Structure of Language What is language? Language: The expression of ideas through symbols and sounds that are arranged according to rules. Language lets us communicate facts and ideas.

Language

The Structure of Language The smallest units of sound in human languages are phonemes. Phoneme: An individual sound that is a basic structural element of language. Phonemes can be represented by a single letter (such as consonants like t or vowels like e) or a combination of letters, such as sh. We can produce about 100 different recognizable sounds, but not all sounds are used in all languages. For example: The English language uses about 43 sounds while some languages use as few as 15 sounds and others use as many as 85.

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