Cognition and language

Cognition and language

Summary



Thinking and reasoning
Being able to analyze, recollect or plan our life are abilities that humans can be proud of. Neither of other species can do this, because they are just using their instincts. Psychologists have defined this ability, thinking, as the manipulation of mental representation of information. And what could we do in the world of information, where everything depends on how fast we are in thinking, if we were not able to recognize and understand sounds, words, visual images or other modalities. Visual images are used when we communicate and it is the major part of thinking. It is representation in the mind that resembles the objects or event being represented. Visual images help us when we want to remember our friends, the game we will be playing and it is a good way to improve various skills. Of course, it is valueless without reasoning, which helps us to make up our mind and to make a good choice or decision. For example, we won’t be able to decide what game we want to play, that our body look better… So in this case we count on reasoning. There are several ways, which we can use for making a decision. Using the first way, which is called syllogistic reasoning, we will have to draw a conclusion form a set of assumptions. The second way is called algorithm, and it’s a rule that, if applied appropriately, guarantees a solution to a problem, but it is quite long, so we can use the third one. It is called heuristics, but unlike algorithms, they can not ensure solution.



Problem solving
The process in which we solve a problem typically involves three major steps: preparing to create a solution, producing solutions, and evaluating the solutions that have been generated. Everything goes so fast, that sometimes we do not even notice, what does it take to solve our daily life problem, especially we spend less time in preparation stage. But if the problem is an ill- defined, it will take more time, because not only the specific nature of the problem is unclear, the information required to solve the problem may be even less obvious. There are three kinds of problems that we are all familiar to: arrangement, inducing structure, and transformation. Solving the first type of problems we need to rearranged elements in ways that will satisfy a certain criterion. In other type of problems a person must identify the relationships among the elements and to create the now ones. And in the last one the initial state must be changed in the goal state using a right method for changing. It is important to notice, that we can solve these kinds of problems just having a crucial view to the problem, and if we can to present and organize the information correctly.

Language
How life would change, if we were not able to use language anymore? We can not imagine the situation, when we are like dropped from the moon... There would be no ability to exchange information or to communicate. Moreover, we would not be able to understand the world. As far as everything is normal, we can develop our skills by learning other languages. Noam Chomsky’s theory says that all the world’s languages share a common underlying structure, so it is not as difficult as might seems. But every particular culture has the different view and understanding of the world, so we must be attentive to the details. Language helps us to reach our goals, to do the best we can, so everyone must be proud of having it for such a long time.

Conflicts psychology

Few of us enjoy dealing with conflicts-either with bosses, friends, or strangers. This is particularly true when strong feelings become involved. Resolving conflict can be mentally exhausting and emotionally draining.

"Conflict is an emotionally defined and driven," and "does not exist in the absence of emotion."

Psychologists say that it is important to realize that conflict that requires resolution is neither good nor bad. There can be positive and negative outcomes. It can be destructive but can also play a productive role for you personally and for your relationships-both personal and professional. The important point is to manage the conflict, not to suppress conflict and not to let conflict escalate out of control. Many of us seek to avoid conflict when it arises but there are many times when we should use conflict as a critical aspect of creativity and motivation.

It is useful to categorize the various responses we have to conflict in terms of two dimensions:
1. how important or unimportant it is to satisfy our needs and
2. how important or unimportant it is to satisfy the other person's needs.

For many of us it is the psychological aspects that are more difficult.
a)how comfortable each feels about conflict
b)how each perceives the other
c)assumptions each makes about the other
d)trust
e)how important winning is
f) how important is it to avoid conflict
g)how much one likes or dislikes the other
h)how important is it to not look foolish

HOW TO WORK OUT CONFLICTS(Fairly and Peacefully)

1. STOP . . .before you lose control of your temper and make the conflict worse.
2. SAY . . .what you feel is the problem. What is causing the disagreement? What do you want?
3. LISTEN . . .to the other person's ideas and feelings.
4. THINK . . .of solutions that will satisfy both of you.
If you still can't agree, ask someone else to help you work it out.

Laziness

... Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired. ~Jules Renard ...


You know the phrases “Try hard” and “Don’t do anything”. We need to know when each of these is applicable. “Try hard” when you are lazy - cut it. . . We have this tendency to be lazy, to whine and complain.
Laziness is the lack of desire to act or work in general or to do an act or work that is expected of a person. In extreme cases, a generalized tendency to do nothing may verge on apathy and be a symptom of depression. What is considered laziness varies according to personal or societal context and magnitude. Laziness can be considered an exaggeration of the natural instinct to get healthy rest and conserve precious energy. Laziness is usually associated with procrastination.

Laziness is considered by some Christians to be one of the seven deadly sins, though it is called sloth on the list.

The expression "intellectual laziness" is frequently used to describe a tendency to not ask questions, and not to scratch too much behind the apparent, applying a kind of mental routine or just following the crowd.

There are different kinds of laziness. First, there’s the laziness of comfort orientation, we just try to stay comfortable and cozy. Then there’s the laziness of loss of heart, a kind of deep discouragement, a feeling of giving up on ourselves, of hopelessness. There’s also the laziness of couldn’t care less. That’s when we harden into resignation and bitterness and just close down.


The laziness of loss of heart is characterized by vulnerability, woundedness, and not knowing what to do. We tried just being ourselves and we didn’t measure up. The way we are is not okay. We chased after pleasure and found no lasting happiness. We took time off, went on vacation, learned to meditate, studied spiritual teachings, or spent years dedicated to certain political or philosophical views and we found no satisfaction. We feel we could gladly sleep for a thousand years. Our life feels meaningless. Loss of heart is so painful that we become paralyzed.

Couldn’t care less is harder. We feel that we just don’t give a damn anymore. We feel lazy and mean at the same time.
We feel as if we can’t do much anyway, and frankly, we don’t care

There is a lot of sayings about lazzy people, or how to be lazzy and avoid responsibility. For example:
Don’t do anything today, that you can do tomorow.
If you feel like working, wait a minute- it will passes.

If you want to deal with this problem- have a baby! They require lots of almost constant attention. If you want to actually accomplish anything, you have to plan every second of your life. Of course, you probably won't get any more done than before, outside of taking care of the baby

Talking about myself, I know exactly how long anything I have to do will take me, so I procrastinate until the very last minute, and then do it all at once. No time for serious review and editing. No time to start over if I didn’t do the best job I could have.

However, it is good to relax, to do nothing.. but just after you have finished your works.