1. Cognition, Language and Creativity Chapter 10 McElhaney

2. Basic Questions What is thought? Function of thought? What are the ingredients of thought? (Components: reasoning, problem solving, decision making…) How is language acquired and used? (language has similar mental processes to cognition)

3. What is thinking? Cognition- mentally processing information Cognition- mentally processing information The manipulation of mental representations Cognitive Psychology: = the study of mental processes by which the information humans receive from their environment is modified, made meaningful, stored, retrieved, used and communicated to others. Thinking is an internal representation (mental expression) of a problem or situation Thinking is an internal representation (mental expression) of a problem or situation

4. Info Processing Model: Information= sensations via receptors (auditory, kinesthetic, visual, olfactory, gustation) Information is perceived and recognized (perceptual processing) Info is elaborated (connected to stored knowledge (LTM) Decide what to do with info Store it or take action –(make a plan) Act on the plan

5. Mental Representations: Ingredients of thought How do we mentally represent information? Mental Models Mental Imagery Cognitive Maps Concepts Propositions Schemas Scripts

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

7. Mental Models Are representations of particular situations or arrangements of objects Mental representations can be 3 dimensional 3 dimensional models images + Cognitive Maps: We think in mental representations Can be manipulated- similar to real objects Cognitive map: Mental Image of scenes- locations

8. Basic Units of Thought Images Images Concepts: Concepts: Categories of objects, events or ideas with common properties or features that are shared by members of the category

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

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

11. Types of Concepts Schemas: Complex mental representation Close associations=Schema: Networks They are generalizations we develop about categories of objects, places or events Builds on expectations

12. Reasoning Reasoning is the process through which we generate and evaluate arguments and reach conclusions”

13. Problem Solving Strategies Mechanical Solutions Mechanical Solutions Solving by understanding Solving by understanding Algorithm Algorithm Heuristics Heuristics Anchoring Heuristic- Representative Heuristic- Availability Heuristic IDEAL Insight Insight

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

15. Algorithms and Heuristics Algorithm Algorithm A step-by-step procedure that guarantees a solution 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”

16. Heuristics Anchoring Heuristic- Estimating the probability of an event not starting from scratch but by adjusting an earlier estimate Being anchored by earlier/original judgement Example-Not able to change much about first impressions Representative Heuristics Rejecting probability Making a choice or decision based on belief or representation of a category... Kind of like a ? "the degree to which [an event] (i) is similar in essential characteristics to its parent population, and (ii) reflects the salient features of the process by which it is generated". [ [ Availability Heuristic- Judging the likelihood of an event or the correctness of a hypothesis based on how easily the hypothesis or examples of the event come to mind... We tend to associate things that are most present in our mind Results from biased judgment

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

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

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

20. Barriers to Problem Solving Confirmation Bias Confirmation Bias Functional Fixedness/Fixation Functional Fixedness/Fixation Restricted Thinking Restricted Thinking Emotional Barrier Emotional Barrier Cultural Barriers- Cultural Barriers- Learned Barriers Learned Barriers Perceptual Barriers Perceptual Barriers

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

22. Restricted Thinking Functional Fixedness- not able to think outside the box Functional Fixedness- not able to think outside the box Inability to see new uses for familiar objects Inability to see new uses for familiar objects or things we use in a particular way or things we use in a particular way Confirmation Bias is a tendency of people to favor information that confirms their beliefs

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

24. Creative Thinking Inductive Thinking Inductive Thinking Specific to the facts or general principles Specific to the facts or general principles Deductive Thinking Deductive Thinking Going from general principles to specific principles Going from general principles to specific principles the process of following a set of rigorous procedures to reach valid or correct conclusions. It takes a general rule and applies it to deduce conclusions about specific cases. Logical Thinking Logical Thinking Proceeding from given information to new conclusions on the bais of explicit rules Proceeding from given information to new conclusions on the bais of explicit rules Conclusions base don formal principals of reasonsing Conclusions base don formal principals of reasonsing Illogical Illogical Intuitive, associated or personal Intuitive, associated or personal Divergent Thinking Divergent Thinking (measure of Creativity) New answers Many possibilities are developed from one strategic point Convergent Thinking Convergent Thinking Lines of thought converge on the correct answer

25. Sternberg’s 5 Components to Creativity Expertise Expertise Imagination Imagination Venture Some Personality Venture Some Personality Intrinsic Motivation Intrinsic Motivation Creative Environment Creative Environment

26. Creative: Personality Characteristics Expertise- in the field of endeavor, tied to what a person has learned A set of Creative Skills- hard work, persistence, divergent thinking, ability to take risks Motivation- internal motivation (seems not external example $)

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

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

29. Creativity Killers Working under surveillance Having choices restricted by rules Working only for a good evaluation (to avoid a bad one) Working to get more money Time pressure kills creativity

30. Brain and Language Language is distributed across other brain regions Language is distributed across other brain regions The brain operates by dividing mental functions The brain operates by dividing mental functions So there are lots of areas of brain involved So there are lots of areas of brain involved (EXAMPLE) Functional MRI show different neural networks activated by nouns and verbs (EXAMPLE) Functional MRI show different neural networks activated by nouns and verbs Aphasia Impairment of Language Broca’s Area Speaking Wernicke's Area Understanding Both deal with language processing

31. Language Development Lots of words Lots of words 150 words are used most 150 words are used most 60,000 in a lifetime 60,000 in a lifetime Receptive to Language Receptive to Language 4 months we recognize differences in speech sounds 4 months we recognize differences in speech sounds Can read lips Can read lips Facial expressions for sounds Facial expressions for sounds 7 months able to segment spoken sounds into words Proficiency can predict language abilities

32. Lang Development 2 Babbling Stage Babbling Stage Begin to make sounds Begin to make sounds Consonant + Vowel sounds Consonant + Vowel sounds Spontaneous sounds Spontaneous sounds 1 st birthday 1 st birthday One word stage One word stage Kids know sounds carry meaning Kids know sounds carry meaning First words are nouns First words are nouns 18 Months word learning explodes 1 word/day 2yrs old Telegraphic speech Two word stage Two word sentences Syntax- noun verb skill

33. Lang Development 3 Critical (sensitive) Period Critical (sensitive) Period Learning language young learn it better Learning language young learn it better Those not exposed to language by age 7 lose ability to master any language. (linguistically stunted) Those not exposed to language by age 7 lose ability to master any language. (linguistically stunted) Why do kids learn language better?

34. Debate over Acquisition of Language Skinner: Skinner: Behaviorist: Operant Learning of language Behaviorist: Operant Learning of language Association- sights of things with sounds of words Association- sights of things with sounds of words Imitation- of words and syntax modeled by others Imitation- of words and syntax modeled by others Reinforcement- with success and smiles Reinforcement- with success and smiles “The vocal musculature became susceptible to operant conditioning” “The vocal musculature became susceptible to operant conditioning” 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.

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

36. Structure of Language Phonemes: basic speech sounds Phonemes: basic speech sounds Morphemes: sounds with meaning “sounds collected into meaningful units” Morphemes: sounds with meaning “sounds collected into meaningful units” Grammar: set of rules for making sounds into words and sentences Grammar: set of rules for making sounds into words and sentences Syntax: rules for word order “man bites dog” 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

37. Language Is not limited to speech American Sign Language Gestural Language