This document provides an overview of cognition and language. It discusses topics like thinking, reasoning, memory, problem solving, mental images, concepts, syllogistic reasoning, algorithms, heuristics, language acquisition, the influence of language on thinking, and whether animals use language. It describes the steps of problem solving as preparation, production of solutions, and judgment of solutions. It also lists techniques for increasing critical thinking and creativity such as redefining problems, using subgoals, adopting a critical perspective, considering opposites, using analogies, thinking divergently, and experimenting with solutions.

1. Cognition
& Language
Dr. Irene Karayianni

2. Cognitive Psychology
thinking language memory Problem solving
knowing reasoning judging Decision making

3. Thinking and reasoning

4. Mental images

5. Concepts: Categorizing the World

6. Syllogistic reasoning
• Premise 1 All professors are mortal.
• Premise 2 Dr. Rivera is a professor.
• Conclusion Therefore, Dr. Rivera is mortal.
• Premise 1 All professors are mortal.
• Premise 2 Professor Rivera is a professor.
• Conclusion Therefore, all professors are Dr. Rivera.

7. Algorithms and heuristics
algorithm heuristic
representativeness
heuristic
availability
heuristic

8. Searching for AI

9. Problem solving

10. Steps of problem solving

11. Step 1
Preparation: Understanding and Diagnosing
New
problem
Familiar
problem
Well defined
problem
Ill defined
problem
or or
Pay
attention to
restrictions
Spend less
time in
preparation
straightforward
judgments
Unclear nature
of problem
Info required to
solve it is not
obvious

12. Step 1
Preparation: Understanding and Diagnosing
Kinds of problems: arrangement problems

13. Step 1
Preparation: Understanding and Diagnosing
Kinds of problems: inducing structure

14. Step 1
Preparation: Understanding and Diagnosing
Kinds of problems: transformational

16. Step 1
Preparation: Understanding and Diagnosing
Representing and organizing the problem

17. Step 2
Production: generate solutions
direct solution stored in LTM Trial and error

18. Step 2
Production: generate solutions
heuristics
Means-end analysis Work backwards – focus on goal
Forming sub-goals
Divide problems into their parts

19. Step 2
Production: generate solutions
Insight: sudden awareness

20. Step 3
Judgment: evaluating solutions

21. Barriers to Solutions: Why Is Problem Solving
Such a Problem?
Functional fixedness

22. Barriers to Solutions: Why Is Problem Solving
Such a Problem?
Inaccurate evaluation of solutions
Confirmation bias

23. Creativity and Problem Solving

24. Increasing critical thinking & creativity
• Redefine problems. We can modify boundaries and assumptions by rephrasing a problem at either a
more abstract or a more concrete level.
• Use subgoals. By developing subgoals, we can divide a problem into intermediate steps. This process,
known as fractionation, allows us to examine each part for new possibilities and approaches, leading
to a novel solution for the problem as a whole.
• Adopt a critical perspective . Rather than passively accepting assumptions or arguments, we can
evaluate material critically, consider its implications, and think about possible exceptions and
contradictions.
• Consider the opposite. By considering the opposite of a concept we’re seeking to understand, we can
sometimes make progress. For example, to define “good mental health,” it may be useful to consider
what “bad mental health” means.
• Use analogies . Analogies provide alternative frameworks for the interpretation of facts and help us
uncover new understanding.
• Think divergently . Instead of the most logical or common use for an object, consider how you might
use the object if you were forbidden to use it in the usual way.
• Use heuristics . Heuristics are cognitive shortcuts that can help bring about a solution to a problem. If
the problem has a single correct answer and you can use or construct a heuristic, you can often find
the solution more rapidly and effectively.
• Experiment with various solutions . Don’t be afraid to use different routes to find solutions for
problems (verbal, mathematical, graphic, even dramatic). For instance, try to come up with every
conceivable idea you can, no matter how wild or bizarre it may seem at first. After you’ve come up
with a list of solutions, review each one and try to think of ways to make what at first appeared
impractical seem more feasible.

25. Language

26. Grammar: Language’s language
phonology, syntax, semantics
Phonemes: fat, fate
“John kidnapped the boy”
“John, the kidnapped boy”
“The boy kidnapped John

27. Developing language: babble

28. Developing language: production of language
Telegraphic speech Overgeneralization

29. Developing language: language acquisition
Learning Theory Approaches: Language as a Learned Skill
language acquisition follows the principles of reinforcement and conditioning
Nativist Approaches: Language as an Innate Skill
humans are born with an innate linguistic capability that emerges primarily
as a function of maturation. All the world’s languages share a common
underlying structure called a universal grammar
Interactionist Approaches: combination of the above
we have the hardware that allows us to develop language, and exposure to
language in our environment allows us to develop the software to
understand and produce language

30. The influence of language on thinking
linguistic-relativity hypothesis: language is the cause of certain ways of thinking;
language shapes and may determine the way people in a specific culture perceive
and understand the world.
Vs.
thought produces language

31. Do animals use language?
Kanzi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKauXrp9dl4