The term “human cognitive sphere” was first introduced in the second half of the last century, when, against the background of the development of cybernetic science, the first attempts were made comparing a person with a biorobot complex structure.
At the same time, scientists began to try to simulate certain mental processes in the human brain. These attempts have not always been successful.
If this or that mental process managed to model, it was called cognitive. Otherwise, it was about the affective sphere.
Today, despite the fact that the concept of the cognitive sphere has been known for quite some time, many do not have a complete idea of what lies under this name.
That is why it is necessary to understand that what is it - the cognitive sphereWhat does this concept mean?
The concept and essence
The cognitive sphere of a person includes all mental functions of his bodyaimed at learning and studying.
These processes are based on the consistent and logical perception of information and its processing.
Thus, the distinctive characteristics of the cognitive sphere are considered to be such features as logic and rationality.
The cognitive sphere includes certain processes such as attention, memory, perception New information, thinking, making certain decisions depending on the situation, logical, conditioned actions and influences depending on the decision made.
Moreover, these processes are cognitive only if they are aimed at learning something new, and are not associated with entertainment or emotional excitement and affection.
What is the affective sphere?
The affective sphere is all those mental processes that not amenable to modeling and logical explanation.
That is, these are thoughts and actions based on emotional outbursts, sensual interactions with oneself, with the outside world and other people are processes that reflect desires, emotional presentiments, motivations, experiences, impulses.
The affective sphere includes several areas, such as:
Inner urge, due to the inner desire to perform an action (for example, to make an unexpected gift to a loved one, to change the interior of the room, etc.).- Outward motive, that is, certain actions caused by certain circumstances (for example, if a child sees a toy he likes, he feels like taking it).
- External coercionwhen any circumstances force a person to perform this or an action that suddenly begins to rain, it becomes necessary to seek shelter.
- Internal coercion, arising in the case when any feelings (for example, fear) are forced to make a certain decision, and do not leave the person to choose.
Inner urge, due to the inner desire to perform an action (for example, to make an unexpected gift to a loved one, to change the interior of the room, etc.).The relationship of emotional and cognitive
A mentally developed person is a complete personality in which both spheres of cognitive (rational) and affective (emotional) coexist. Each of them performs its functions, complementing each other.
Most people in everyday life are guided by emotional, sensual impulses, however, in a certain situation (for example, when performing their official duties) they activate the rational side of their personality.
The interrelation of the emotional and cognitive spheres is that, even when performing any rational actions, man never ceases to feel, and in the event of the occurrence of certain emotional impulses, in most cases, it logically comprehends its actions and the consequences that they may entail.
On the emotional-volitional mental processes in this lecture:
Structure and meaning
The value of the cognitive sphere lies in the possibility perceive, memorize, process new information and apply acquired knowledge in one or another area of your life.
That is, this is the ability to learn and apply those or other skills.
The cognitive sphere includes various components, such as:
- Attention;
- memory;
- imagination.
And each of these components includes various varieties of thought processes.
Each of these cognitive functions has its own definition, function, and variety.
Attention
Attention - the ability of a person to select the information he needs (to identify important, while eliminating unnecessary), and to focus on it.
This function is fundamental, because without attention no new information or knowledge can be obtained, assimilated and processed.
Depending on what efforts from a person requires the inclusion and maintenance of attention, this function is divided into several varieties:
Involuntary. Does not require any effort from a person. It occurs if a random object or information (for example, bright signs in stores) becomes the object of attention.- Arbitrary. To maintain attention from a person, certain efforts are required to concentrate precisely on the selected object and to sift out all distractions (for example, when studying a new topic in a class).
- Postvoluntary. It is considered as a consequence of voluntary attention, which is maintained at a conscious level (for example, with a deeper study of any topic).
Involuntary. Does not require any effort from a person. It occurs if a random object or information (for example, bright signs in stores) becomes the object of attention.Attention has certain characteristics, such as:
- Resilience, that is, the ability to permanently delay attention on a particular object. In some cases, a person has attention when he is distracted from the object for a while, but then returns to it.
- Power concentration, that is, the level of focus on the object of attention.
- Volume, that is, the amount of information on which a person can simultaneously hold their attention.
- Distribution, that is, the ability of a person to pay attention to several different objects at the same time.
- Switchability, that is, the ability in the shortest possible time passes from one type of activity requiring attention to another.
Memory
Memory is ability to hold and accumulate the received information about certain objects, their properties, and in general, about the world as a whole.
Memory is necessary for a person, because in its absence, each time one would have to re-examine the information received, which would make the learning process impossible.
There are the following types of memory, such as:
- Motorin which a person memorizes on a subconscious level a particular sequence of movements (for example, when performing monotonous physical work).
- Emotional. In the case when a person remembers certain emotions that arose in him in a similar situation.
- Figurative. Associated with the memorization of specific images, sounds, smells. This type of memory is most developed in people of creative professions, for example, in artists.
- Short-term and long-term memory, when the received information is stored only for a few seconds, or for a long period of time.
- Arbitrary and involuntary. Arbitrary memory requires effort from a person when he needs to memorize one or other important information for him. Involuntary memory occurs when information is “deposited in the head,” regardless of the person’s desire.
Imagination
Imagination is considered to be the ability of a person to imagine the ultimate goal, the result their actions even before they began to be implemented.
Imagination gives people the opportunity to create in their thoughts those objects that do not exist in the real world.
And with certain skills of visualization, a person can hold this object in his thoughts for a long time, and use it in his imagination.
Allocate such varieties imaginations like:
- Activewhen a person performs any creative activity aimed at transforming the surrounding world. At the same time, the converter itself clearly understands the end result of its actions.
- Passive imagination, representing images, far from everyday reality, fantastic pictures, dreams.
- Intentional imagination, when a person, performing any actions, consciously tries to imagine their consequences.
- Unintentional. It occurs, for example, in a half-dormant state, in a dream, in a state of narcotic intoxication (hallucinations). A person is not able to control the images and thoughts arising in his head.
How does imagination work? Psychology lesson in this video:
Examples of cognitive processes
Cognitive function is different rationality, the presence of a sequence of thoughts and actions, their logic.
Cognitive processes occur at the moment reading.
Opening the book, a person perceives letters, words, new information, relates it to the knowledge that he already has, connects the imagination to visualize the picture described in the book, especially when it comes to artwork.
With a letter various cognitive processes are also activated. For example, when writing an essay, a person already imagines what he will write about, that is, connects the imagination.
In addition, it is important not to be distracted from the process by any foreign objects in order to avoid spelling, stylistic and other mistakes (attention is activated).
It is also necessary to remember what has already been written before in order to build a coherent and beautiful text (memory is activated).
Training, no matter what skills or skills you acquire, it does not do without certain cognitive processes.
So, in order to obtain the necessary information, it is necessary to concentrate on it completely, without being distracted by anything else. It helps Attention.
Memory it is necessary in order to memorize the information received, postpone it, and relate it to the existing knowledge for a better understanding. Imagination allows you to visualize yourself, what is at stake.
Cognitive processes are not only important for obtaining and assimilating new information, they are appear in everyday life.
For example, if a girl tries to lose weight, but sees a hamburger or a piece of cake in front of her, she feels like to eat them, but stops herself in time, arguing that the momentary pleasure will negate all the exhausting work on losing weight.
How to determine the level of development of the cognitive sphere in children?
Person begins to study almost from the first days of life, cognitive (cognitive) processes develop in a child gradually, over a long time.
It is important to ensure that their level of development corresponds to the age group of the child. Otherwise, it will be necessary to take appropriate measures.
To determine the level of development of the cognitive sphere in children, various diagnostic materialswhich are structured, depending on the age of the child.
During the diagnosis, the baby is invited to perform various tasks that match his age.
After each completed (or unfulfilled) task, the child is given points from 1 to 4 (1 - misunderstanding of the task, lack of desire to achieve the goal; 2 - the child tries to complete the task, but after an unsuccessful attempt, refuses to conceive; 3 - the child makes attempts to perform the task , and after several failures, he still achieves his goal; 4 - the kid immediately copes with the task).
The scores after the end of the test are summarized, and their total number indicates this or that degree of cognitive development baby
Record of the report "Functional MRI in studies of the cognitive sphere in children":
Cognitive sphere - a set of mental processes, representing a logical, rational sequence of thoughts and actions.
This area is of great importance not only in training and cognitive activity, but also in everyday life, as a person is constantly confronted with new information, and he needs to be able to memorize it, as well as apply it in practice.
The cognitive (rational) sphere closely interacts with the emotional (affective) one. After all, man - Living being, reason and logic always coexist with feelings and emotional experiences.
