Cognition, Language and Creativity Chapter 10 McElhaney

Basics Language is used to encode information Animals are capable of rudimentary language use only with aid of human intervention. Problem solving = acquired knowledge + strategies Creative Thinking= is novel, new, divergent

What is thinking? Cognition- mentally processing information Cognitive Psychology- is the study of human information processing. Thinking is an internal representation (mental expression) of a problem or situation

Basic Units of Thought Images Concepts: ideas, representations- by class of related concepts Language: words symbols + rules for combining them

Mental Imagery People use Visual Images Auditory Images Synesthesia: images cross normal sensory barriers Colors, tastes, odors People use imagery: Decision making- problem solving Change Feelings <thinking> To improve skill and prepare for action To aid memory

Mental Images are 3-D Mental rotation is possible making imagined movements The Minds Eye- 1. Brain areas where memories are stored 2. Send signals back to visual cortex 3. Where images are created

Using Mental Images We use stored images Info from memory is used We apply past experiences to problem solving Created images are- ideas/images not remembered but created Artists see the image and it is created

Kinesthetic Imagery Muscular sensations Important in music, sports, and dance Micro-movements= occur in connection between muscle activity + thinking

Concepts Idea that represents a class of objects or events Very abstract Identify features of objects Conceptual thinking is the ability to classify into categories

Concept Formation Concepts are learned Process of classifying information into meaningful categories Concepts are identified by: Positive Instances vs. Negative Instances Items are classified as either part of a concept or not.

Conceptual Rules Help us decipher– Help us order concepts

Types of Concepts Conjunction Concepts- Must have 2 or more features “In conjunction with” Relational Concepts- With principal definitions of concept based on relations Example: Sister and brother Below and under Disjunctive Concepts Concepts must have one of several possible features “It must have this feature or that feature” Either or qualities

Types of Concepts 2 Prototypes- ideal models to identify concepts- Examples of concept Connotative Meaning: emotional or personal meaning/understanding Connote = Ideas about, signifies Measured by Semantic Differential- qualitative rating Based on a scale Denotive Meaning- word definition, is exact definition

Faulty Concepts Are understandings that lead to thinking errors. Example= Social Stereotypes Over simplified (beliefs or) concepts of people One dimensional thought

Language Thinking relies heavily on language Words encode (translate) the world into symbols. Semantics = study of the meaning if words Words get meaning from Context Semantics affect thinking when words we use alter meaning

Debate over Acquisition of Language Chomsky = inborn universal grammar Behavior explanation is over simplified Language naturally occurs But still needs nurture Thinking process Children learn their environment’s language Children begin using morphemes in a predictable order Your ability to learn language is inborn. Skinner: Behaviorist: Operant Learning of language Association- sights of things with sounds of words Imitation- of words and syntax modeled by others Reinforcement- with success and smiles “The vocal musculature became susceptible to operant conditioning”

Chomsky 2 All human languages have the same grammatical building blocks = Universal Grammar Nouns, verbs, subjects, objects, negations, questions Our Brains are pre-wired for language We all start speaking in nouns, It happens naturally Or brains have a language acquisition device But need to be exposed to language

Structure of Language Phonemes: basic speech sounds Morphemes: sounds with meaning “sounds collected into meaningful units” Grammar: set of rules for making sounds into words and sentences Syntax: rules for word order “man bites dog” Chomsky- Unspoken rules we use to change ideas into sentences Universal core patterns: Past Passive Negative Question

Language is productive Gestural Language We can generate new thoughts or ideas Language Is not limited to speech American Sign Language

Animal Languages? No evidence of formal language Only simple messages Examples: Vicki Washoe chimp (the Gardners) Used sign language 240 signs 6 word sentences Sarah Chimp Used magnetic symbols Learned to question Label things Classify objects, color, size, and shape Kanzi Found chimps able to produce language based on Lexigrams- machine buttons + symbols primitive sentences

Criticism of Animal Language People say it doesn’t work Simply an operant response to get food Counter response- said yes they use symbols hold conversations Patterns + Similar to conversations like young children

Problem Solving Mechanical solutions Solving by Understanding Trial and error Rote- thinking is guided by a learned set of rules Solving by Understanding Deeper Comprehension of a problem (helps solving) Discover general properties of a solution General solution identifies the requirements for success Proposes a series of functional (workable) solutions Then chooses the best one

Algorithms and Heuristics A step-by-step procedure that guarantees a solution Heuristics A strategy for identifying and evaluating problems and solutions Then random search limiting the number of alternatives then apply trial and error “car doesn’t start check the battery”

IDEAL Strategy Heuristic=have a general thinking strategy Bransford- researcher, 5 steps Identify Define- problem clearly Explore- possible solutions + relevant knowledge Act-= try a possible solution or hypothesis Look at results and learn from results

Insight Involves selective encoding- selecting infor that is relevant to a problem Ignore distractions Selective Combinations Bringing together seemingly unrelated bits of useful information Selective Comparison Ability to compare new problems with old info or with problems already solved

Insightful Solutions Insight = seeing a solution Rapid and clear info-ideas about a topic Create insight by reorganizing a problem See it in new ways and then see new solutions

Barrier to Problem Solving: Fixation Characterized by- becoming blind to alternatives Tendency to be “hung up” on wrong solutions Caused by unnecessary restrictions on our thinking

Restricted Thinking Functional Fixedness- not able to think outside the box Inability to see new uses for familiar objects or things we use in a particular way

Other Barriers Emotional Barrier Cultural Barriers Learned Barriers- Inhibition, fear of making a fool of oneself Fear of making a mistake Inability to tolerate ambiguity Excessive self-criticism Cultural Barriers Cultural views prevent creative problem solving Learned Barriers- Conventions about user- Traditional views limit possibilities Perceptual Barriers Habits lead to lack of solutions

Creative Thinking Fluency- total # of suggestions Inductive Logical Deductive Illogical Fluency- total # of suggestions Flexibility- # of times you shift from one class of possible uses to another Originality- refers to ow novel or unusual the suggestions are

Creative Thinking Must be practical or sensible Inductive Thinking Specific to the facts or general principles Deductive Thinking Going from general principles to specific principles Logical Thinking Proceeding from given information to new conclusions on the bais of explicit rules Conclusions base don formal principals of reasonsing Illogical Intuitive, associated or personal

Creative Thinking Divergent Thinking Convergent thinking

Test of Creativity Unusual Uses Test Consequences Test Anagram Test Person tries to think of as many possible uses for some object Consequences Test Goal to list the consequences that would follow a basic change Anagram Test Use a word Find as many new words as possible by rearranging the letters

Stages of Creative Thought Orientation Define problems, Identify dimensions Preparation Collect and use as much info as possible Incubation Time is needed to process and think Illumination Insight gained “light bulb” goes off Verification

Creative Personality

Creative Characteristics

Logic and Intuition