Posts published on November 9, 2016

Using Cognitive Thinking For College Success

By Jonathan Kelly

A simple guide to implementing cognitive thought is

1. The act of applying logical speculation to a dilemma, simple or complicated task, or basic decision
2. Relating experience or research to that speculation
3. Then finally, applying deductive reasoning to arrive at a final decision

These are not steps that need be taken laboriously. Cognitive thinking is not an art form. Basically it is a question as to the truth of the reality placed before you. A decision of truth or falsehood is not found through intuition or word of mouth, it is found through gaining a personal understanding of the larger picture which surrounds the supposed fact in front of you.

I believe cognitive thought is mostly lost in American society and I have made it a personal goal to bring light to it whenever possible. Below are five scenarios that include how the lack of cognitive thought can detrimentally affect scholastic success, personal financial responsibility, national security, public health and safety as well as the simple ability to quote a source.

The first example comes from the year 1990 when Margaret Kantz, writer of several scholarly articles, and past assistant professor of English at Central Missouri State University wrote a paper entitled, “Helping Students Use Textual Sources Persuasively.” In her paper, Kantz largely focuses upon the inability of students to think critically. She wrote about Shirley whose academic prowess was considered stellar until arriving at college where she was then unable to pivot from expertly parroting what she learned to creating her own deductions and presenting her own theories within written assignments.

In Kantz’ fantasy Shirley had been assigned to write a paper that expressed original arguments. Shirley concentrated on telling the story of the Battle of Agincourt “…more clearly and more completely than her sources had done.” She did not disagree, or agree; she reported. She received a grade of C minus.

Kantz exemplified a solution for Shirley through the fictitious character, Alice, who stated “…if you want to say something original, you either have to talk about the sources or talk about the material.” From my perspective of this statement, since we all know that historical reporting is by no means absolutely accurate (you know this right?), you can question the sources by searching for alternative reports of the same event. Or you can discuss the facts provided in the material and put forth a what-if scenario providing alternative sources to support your theory.

In any event, parroting what we have learned has become normal juxtaposed to questioning, intelligently, if the truth before us is valid.

In the second example of the lack of cognitive thought causing financial loss I will share insight I gained while speaking with a client of mine who has, within her business, a goal of helping customers think cognitively.

Home Design Contents Restoration is a company that restores damaged belongs and acts as liaison between insurance companies and victims of catastrophic environmental events. Daniel Sadeh, the owner of Home Design explained that one of the most common reasons clients spend more out of pocket in insurance claims stems from assumptions made by clients.

• I have insurance for water damage so everything is covered

This is a logical assumption yes? However, the reality is that a rule of thumb exists for insurance policies; water pouring down is most likely covered and water pooling up is not without additional coverage.

• The insurance adjuster’s schedule is such that she cannot be onsite for four days so the insurer will cover any further damage to my belongings due to the delay.

Most insurance policies include the caveat that reasonable and prudent measures must be taken to protect and secure belongings from further damage. If steps are not taken by the insured to protect belongings from further damage, the additional cost to restore the belongings will not be covered.

• During a phone conversation with Rick Medley, my insurance representative, I understood him to say that ‘x’ applies.

Turns out, Ricky was wrong, but since I did not recap the conversation and confirm it in writing (e.g. email) there is no proof he said it.

The moral here, under the focus of cognitive thought, is to never make an assumption without also confirming the assumption through research.  Logic alone is not enough, deductive reasoning must also exist.

In my past professional experience as a professor of social psychology, I found just by adding one trait to a personality it exponentially changes that person’s ability to reason more intelligently. Actively paying attention to what is in front of us is that trait. Attention to detail whether that detail is in written, heard, or seen is the very first step. As one is paying attention, the rest comes automatically…a memory will be spurred aiding the creation of deductive processing; leave the rest to good logic along with whatever research (quick or intense) might be needed.

Our fourth and fifth examples come in the form of questions: Because cognitive thought is less prevalent in America today our nation’s social, financial, and, moral stability is in jeopardy. We have blindly agreed with the fastest talker, the loudest talker, or the most publicly respected pundit without questioning the facts provided to us. We find out after the headline has past that we were misled or provided incorrect information. Look up or remember Bush’s WOMD, Kennedy’s Cubin missile crisis, and Nixon’s Watergate to pick a few historical examples. Were our ability to apply cognitive thought more practiced, how do you think these scenarios would have played out?

Because of the lack of the wholesale practice of cognitive thought our environment has been degrading with little intervention since at least the 1970’s when scientists, labeled and minimized as environmentalists by lobbyists of large oil companies like Exon, predicted the climate change we face today; add today’s rhetoric of denial of facts and look to the our future. Was our ability to apply cognitive thought more practiced over the past 40 year…how do you think this scenario would have played out?

Lastly, did you read the About the Author section of this article after I stated that I was a professor of social psychology? For those that did not look…did you simply believe me? Did anyone feel that cognitive itch in your brain that something was amiss but ignored it? Anyone notice the third example was not highlighted? Bravo for the readers that knew there was something wrong with that statement. I have never been a professor social psychology.

 

About the Author:

Jonathan is freelance web developer (and part-time writer) enamored with pretty much anything Internet, education and environment. He is not a professor of social psychology. When he is not busy helping people with their websites, he loves trying different craft beers and playing poker. You can reach him through his personal site at SEOJO.ca.