Control of Information Processing
Lawrence W. Barsalou · Cognitive Psychology · 2014
Thought involves a series of transformations performed on the contents of working memory, where these transformations and contents are conscious at least to some extent. The definition of purposive thought includes both formal and non-formal procedures. Clearly, the formal procedures central to logical and mathematical reasoning satisfy it, but so do the non-formal procedures that underlie more typical, mundane thought. Three themes shape the discussion of purposive thought: similarity, availability, and framing. The technique of multidimensional scaling, developed by Shepard provides one way to identify conceptual dimensions. Multidimensional scaling requires proximity data, such as similarity ratings or confusion data. Availability can take other forms in Goodmans notion of entrenchment: Properties that are highly established in long-term memory are readily available for similarity judgments. framing influences human thought extensively. In decision making and reasoning, people often use frames to understand, integrate, and contextualize the information currently under consideration. Each theme reflects a fundamental mechanism in the architecture of human cognition.