Beyond two modes of thought: A quantum model of how three cognitive variables yield conceptual change
We re-examine the long-held postulate that there are two modes of thought, and develop a more fine-grained analysis of how different modes of thought affect conceptual change. We suggest that cognitive development entails the fine-tuning of three dimensions of thought: abstractness, divergence, and...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.905446/full |
| _version_ | 1811206288367943680 |
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| author | Mika Winslow Liane Gabora |
| author_facet | Mika Winslow Liane Gabora |
| author_sort | Mika Winslow |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We re-examine the long-held postulate that there are two modes of thought, and develop a more fine-grained analysis of how different modes of thought affect conceptual change. We suggest that cognitive development entails the fine-tuning of three dimensions of thought: abstractness, divergence, and context-specificity. Using a quantum cognition modeling approach, we show how these three variables differ, and explain why they would have a distinctively different impacts on thought processes and mental contents. We suggest that, through simultaneous manipulation of all three variables, one spontaneously, and on an ongoing basis, tailors one's mode of thought to the demands of the current situation. The paper concludes with an analysis based on results from an earlier study of children's mental models of the shape of the Earth. The example illustrates how, through reiterated transition between mental states using these three variables, thought processes unfold, and conceptual change ensues. While this example concerns children, the approach applies more broadly to adults as well as children. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T03:45:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5a44252873944a798eae171cca26d27a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T03:45:08Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-5a44252873944a798eae171cca26d27a2022-12-22T03:49:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782022-09-011310.3389/fpsyg.2022.905446905446Beyond two modes of thought: A quantum model of how three cognitive variables yield conceptual changeMika Winslow0Liane Gabora1Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, CanadaDepartment of Psychology, Fipke Centre for Innovative Research, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, CanadaWe re-examine the long-held postulate that there are two modes of thought, and develop a more fine-grained analysis of how different modes of thought affect conceptual change. We suggest that cognitive development entails the fine-tuning of three dimensions of thought: abstractness, divergence, and context-specificity. Using a quantum cognition modeling approach, we show how these three variables differ, and explain why they would have a distinctively different impacts on thought processes and mental contents. We suggest that, through simultaneous manipulation of all three variables, one spontaneously, and on an ongoing basis, tailors one's mode of thought to the demands of the current situation. The paper concludes with an analysis based on results from an earlier study of children's mental models of the shape of the Earth. The example illustrates how, through reiterated transition between mental states using these three variables, thought processes unfold, and conceptual change ensues. While this example concerns children, the approach applies more broadly to adults as well as children.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.905446/fullconceptual changecognitive developmentcontextconvergent thinkingdivergent thinkingdual process theories |
| spellingShingle | Mika Winslow Liane Gabora Beyond two modes of thought: A quantum model of how three cognitive variables yield conceptual change Frontiers in Psychology conceptual change cognitive development context convergent thinking divergent thinking dual process theories |
| title | Beyond two modes of thought: A quantum model of how three cognitive variables yield conceptual change |
| title_full | Beyond two modes of thought: A quantum model of how three cognitive variables yield conceptual change |
| title_fullStr | Beyond two modes of thought: A quantum model of how three cognitive variables yield conceptual change |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond two modes of thought: A quantum model of how three cognitive variables yield conceptual change |
| title_short | Beyond two modes of thought: A quantum model of how three cognitive variables yield conceptual change |
| title_sort | beyond two modes of thought a quantum model of how three cognitive variables yield conceptual change |
| topic | conceptual change cognitive development context convergent thinking divergent thinking dual process theories |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.905446/full |
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