1. Cognition, Language and Creativity
Chapter 10
McElhaney

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. Conceptual Rules
Help us decipher–
Help us order concepts

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. 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”

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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”

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. Creative Thinking
Divergent Thinking
Convergent thinking

33. 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

34. 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

35. Creative Personality

36. Creative Characteristics

37. Logic and Intuition