CognitionCognition

refers to mental activities including:refers to mental activities including:

*ThinkingThinking*RememberingRemembering*Learning Learning *Using languageUsing languageAnd to solving problems. And to solving problems.

When we apply a cognitive approach to learning and teaching, When we apply a cognitive approach to learning and teaching, we focus on the understanding of information and concepts. If we focus on the understanding of information and concepts. If we are able to understand the connection between concepts, we are able to understand the connection between concepts, break down information and rebuilt with logical connections, break down information and rebuilt with logical connections, then our rention of material and understanding will increase. then our rention of material and understanding will increase.

AssumptionsAssumptions

1.Human behaviour can be understood by scientific processes.

2.Human behaviour is a series of responses to external stimuli mitigated by our:

* thoughts, *perceptions, *moods *and desires.

LanguageLanguage

The Development of LanguageThe Development of Language

The cognitive approach emphasizes the role of learning in behavior, but unlike behaviorism, does not exclude the possible role of inherited mechanisms. Noam Chomsky believed that language development depends on an innate mechanism that he called a "language acquisition device" which processes grammatical rules.

Problem-solvingProblem-solving

Refers to the mental process that people go through to discover, analize and solve problems. This involves all steps in the problem process including:*The discovery of the problem*The decision to tackle the issue*Understanding the problem*Researching the available options and taking actions to achieve your goals.

Before problem-solving can occur, it is important to first understand the exact nature of the problem itself

Problem-solving strategiesProblem-solving strategies

Algorithms:Algorithms: *a step-by step procedure that will always produce a correct solutionHeuristics:Heuristics: *a mental rule-of-thumb strategy that may or may not work in certain situations. It does not always guarnatee a correct solution.Trial-and –error: Trial-and –error: *involves trying a number of different solutions and ruling out those that do not workInsight:Insight:*Can occur, because you realize that the problem is actually similar to something that you have dealt with in the past.

Language and thoughtsLanguage and thoughts

Various forms of research indicate that language is not necessary for thinking. However, there is also no denying that much of our thinking occurs in words.

An example of the conflicts that can occur between language and other cognitive processes is the Stroop test, which demonstrates how interference can occur between linguistic processing and naming of colors.

Stroop testStroop test

Time how long it takes you to name each of the colors below. Time for the first row, and then for the second row. (Remember, you are naming the colors, not the words!)

red green yellow blue purple

purple blue yellow green red