Cognitivism Blog Post

Cognitivism

A Brief Explanation of Cognitivism

Cognitivism is the theory in psychology of understanding humans thought process and how we develop the building blocks of the world around us. It is largely based on our own personal interpretation of things and the role of mental processes that shape how we preceive. It follows the memory systems that are sensory, short term, and long term. 

Personal Example of Cognitivism

In my 7th grade world history classroom, I often discuss the concept of cognitivism inadvertantly by exploring how students interpret different parts of the world through the lens of their personal cultural history. I provide an example by asking students to analyze historical events or cultural practices from various regions and then reflect on how their own cultural background influences their interpretation. For instance, when discussing ancient civilizations, I encourage students to consider how their family's cultural heritage, religious beliefs, and socio-economic background might shape their understanding of these civilizations. By engaging in this exercise, students gain insight into the role of internal mental structures and representations in shaping their perceptions of the world, highlighting the significance of cognitive processes in historical interpretation and cross-cultural understanding.

Strengths of Cognitivism

One strength of cognitivism is that it allows for the creativity of all people to learn in different ways. I think it allows for a lot of personal identity to show through in their practices. We all remember different things for different reasosns. The ability tio acknowledge that and understand that can create better understanding between others. It allows us to understand that some things are the way they are (constructionism) and we can interpret those things differently still in our own right (constructivism).

Weaknesses of Cognitivism 

One weakness of cognitivism lies in its tendency to overlook the social and cultural dimensions of cognition, focusing primarily on internal mental processes. While cognitivism emphasizes the role of internal representations and mental structures in shaping perception and understanding, it may fail to adequately account for the influence of social interactions, cultural contexts, and embodied experiences on cognition. This limitation becomes apparent when considering the perspectives of constructionism and constructivism, which challenge the notion of a universal, internally-driven cognitive process. Constructionism and constructivism posit that individuals construct knowledge through active engagement with their environment and social interactions, suggesting that perception and understanding are shaped not only by internal mental processes but also by external factors such as cultural norms, social contexts, and physical experiences. This divergence highlights a fundamental contradiction between the individual-centric view of cognition in cognitivism and the socially situated view in constructionism and constructivism, underscoring the need for a more integrated approach that considers both internal and external influences on cognition.

References

• Cherry, K. (2022, November 2). Jean Piaget biography (1896 - 1980). verywell mind. 

• Cherry, K. (2023, March 12). The role of a schema in psychology. verywell mind.

• Cherry, K. (2020, May 9). Gender schema theory and roles in culture. verywell mind.

• Harel, I. E., & Papert, S. E. (1991). Situating constructionism in I. E. Harel & S. E. Papert (Eds.), Constructionism (pp. 1-11). Ablex Publishing.

• Challenge Innovate Grow: Teacher & Learner Centre. (2021, March 15). Information processing theory [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENzV7nVLuhk