What is Cognition? Explain different theories of cognition.
Course: Human Development & Learning
Course code 8610
Level: B.Ed Solved Assignment
Answer
Cognitive psychology is the field of psychology dedicated to
examining how people think. It attempts to explain how and why we think the way
we do by studying the interactions among human thinking, emotion, creativity,
language, and problem-solving, in addition to other cognitive processes.
Cognitive psychologists strive to determine and measure different types of
intelligence, why some people are better at problem-solving than others, and
how emotional intelligence affects success in the workplace, among countless
other topics. They also sometimes focus on how we organize thoughts and
information gathered from our environments into meaningful categories of
thought, which will be discussed later.
Social Cognitive Theory
In the
Social Cognitive Theory, we are considering 3 variables:
- Behavioral Factors
- Environmental Factors (Extrinsic)
- Personal Factors (Intrinsic)
These 3 variables in Social Cognitive Theory are said to be
interrelated with each other, causing learning to occur. An individual’s
personal experience can converge with the behavioral determinants and environmental factors.
Social Cognitive Theory Illustration (Perjures, 2002)
In the person-environment interaction, human beliefs, ideas, and cognitive competencies are modified by external factors such as a
supportive parent, a stressful environment, or a hot climate. In the
person-behavior interaction, the cognitive processes of a person affect his behavior;
likewise, the performance of such behavior can modify the way he thinks. Lastly, in the environment-behavior interaction, external factors can alter the way you
display the behavior.
Also, your behavior can affect and modify your environment.
This model clearly implies that for effective and positive learning to occur an
individual should have positive personal characteristics, exhibit appropriate
behavior, and stay in a supportive environment.
In addition, Social Cognitive Theory states that new
experiences are to be evaluated by the learner using analyzing his past
experiences with the same determinants. Learning, therefore, is a result of a
thorough evaluation of the present experience versus the past.
1. Observational Learning
Learning from other people using observing them is an
effective way of gaining knowledge and altering behavior.
2. Reproduction
the process wherein there is an aim to effectively increase
the repeating of behavior using putting the individual in a comfortable
environment with readily accessible materials to motivate him to retain the new
knowledge and behavior learned and practice them.
3. Self-efficacy
The course wherein the learner improves his newly learned
knowledge or behavior by putting it into practice
4. Emotional coping
Good coping mechanisms against stressful environments and
negative personal characteristics can lead to effective learning, especially in
adults.
5. Self-regulatory capability
Ability to
control behavior even within an unfavorable environment
B. Cognitive Behavioural Theory
Cognitive Behavioural Theory describes the role of cognition
(knowing) in determining and predicting the behavioral pattern of an individual.
This theory was developed by Aaron Beck. The Cognitive Behavioral Theory says
that individuals tend to form self-concepts that affect the behavior they
display. These concepts can be positive or negative and can be affected by a
person’s environment.
Genitive Behavioral Theory further explains human behavior and
learning using the cognitive triad. This triad includes negative thoughts
about:
1. The self (i.e., I am rubbish)
2. The world/environment (i.e., the world is irrational)
3. The future (i.e., my future is doomed)
Concrete operational
Children are much less egocentric in the concrete operational
stage. It falls between the ages of 7 to 11 years old and is marked by more
logical and methodical manipulation of symbols. The main goal at this stage is
for a child to start working things out inside their head. This is called
operational thought, and it allows kids to solve problems without physically encountering
things in the real world.
Formal operational
Children 11 years old and older fall into Piaget’s formal
operational stage. A milestone of this period is using symbols to understand
abstract concepts. Not only that but older kids and adults can also think
about multiple variables and come up with hypotheses based on previous
knowledge.
Piaget believed that people of all ages developed intellectually.
But he also believed that once a person reaches the formal operational stage,
it’s more about building upon knowledge, not changing how it’s acquired or
understood.
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