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The human nervous system handles vast amounts of information by translating sensory stimuli into neural impulses, which the brain processes, creating thoughts expressed through language or stored as memories. The brain also synthesizes information from emotions and memories, which significantly influence thoughts and behaviors. This intricate process creates a comprehensive mental picture.
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In psychology, concepts can be divided into two categories: natural and artificial. Natural concepts are formed through direct or indirect experiences. For example, consider the concept of snow. If you live in a place with regular snowfall, such as Essex Junction, Vermont, you know snow through direct experiences. You’ve seen it fall, touched it, shoveled it, and played in it. You recognize its texture, appearance, and even its smell. In contrast, if you live on an island like Saint...
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Structuralism, an early psychological theory developed by Wilhelm Wundt and his student Edward Bradford Titchener, sought to dissect the human mind into its most fundamental components. Wundt's groundbreaking work in his laboratory set the stage for Titchener to define structuralism's goal as cataloging the "atoms" of the mind—sensations, images, and feelings—akin to how chemists identify elements of matter.
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The concept of subconscious awareness refers to the processing of information below the level of conscious thought, which significantly influences both behaviors and decisions. It is also known as waking subconscious awareness. This complex level of cognition operates without the direct awareness of the individual, facilitating rapid and simultaneous handling of multiple information streams.
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Concepts, abstractness and inner speech.

Anna M Borghi1, Charles Fernyhough2

  • 1Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome and Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, Italian National Research Council, Rome 00185, Italy.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
|December 26, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Inner speech, or covert self-directed talk, aids concept learning and use. Different types of inner speech are flexibly employed depending on concept abstractness and learning stage.

Keywords:
abstract conceptsabstract wordsconceptual acquisitiondialogic inner speechinner speechmetacognition‌

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Linguistics
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Inner speech, as conceptualized by Vygotsky, arises from internalized social interactions.
  • It plays a crucial role in regulating cognition and behavior.
  • Abstract concepts may necessitate more active meaning-seeking processes involving inner speech.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of inner speech in acquiring and using concepts of varying abstractness.
  • To examine whether inner speech is used differently during concept acquisition versus concept use.
  • To explore how different varieties of inner speech (e.g., expanded, condensed) and features like dialogicality are employed with abstract concepts.

Main Methods:

  • The study theoretically explores the role of inner speech in concept processing.
  • It considers Vygotsky's theory of inner speech development.
  • The research frames inner social metacognition as a potential mechanism for using abstract concepts.

Main Results:

  • Inner speech may be differentially involved in the learning versus the use of concepts.
  • Specific varieties of inner speech might be preferentially used for different types of abstract concepts (e.g., emotions, numbers).
  • Dialogicality in inner speech could facilitate concept use by enabling self-monitoring of knowledge limits.

Conclusions:

  • Different forms of inner speech are likely utilized flexibly during both the acquisition and everyday use of concepts.
  • Inner social metacognition, facilitated by dialogical inner speech, may be key to navigating abstract concepts.
  • Understanding the nuances of inner speech offers insights into concept formation and cognitive processing.