The 6 Cognitive Processes

Written By Colēgia

At any given time our brain is doing many different things at once. These are known as cognitive processes and they are all helping us in many different ways. One of the earliest instances of this originates from Blooms Taxonomy which seeks to categorize these processes. Today we want to discuss what these are and what they do for us.

Remember

The first process refers to our ability to recall important information. This is needed as we can't make sense of information that we don't already have available. This process focuses on the fundamentals and acknowledges that in order to experience more challenging concepts we need to have a firm foundation to do so. Knowledge starts with recollection and knowing this is the first step to greatness.

“The first process refers to our ability to recall important information.”

Understand

Once we are able to remember this form of information, we need to make an active effort to understand what it is. This process relates to the ability to classify and comprehend information. Being able to explain what something is even without fully knowing the whole story is good as it gets us closer to fully realizing these concepts. While this is mostly focused on rational thought, this process is crucial for the next step. Understanding goes far beyond this process and can be used in other areas as well.

“Once we are able to remember this form of information, we need to make an active effort to understand what it is.”

Apply

While being able to understand information is extremely helpful, finding ways to practically apply this and using action behind our thought is our next goal. This process gives us the chance to test this knowledge in situations that may be different than what we originally expected. This is helpful as it helps us test the waters and see what works. Applying knowledge requires an inherent understanding which can promote good mental habits.

“While being able to understand information is extremely helpful, finding ways to practically apply this and using action behind our thought is our next goal.”

Analyze

The next process has an emphasis on analyzing information in order to find connections between ideas. One of the main benefits behind this is that it lets us focus on the organizational aspect of our thoughts and how these correlate. This holistic viewpoint is good as it lets us find value in ways we may have been unaware of. Analysis is the core of higher reasoning which can help us with harder decisions.

“The next process has an emphasis on analyzing information in order to find connections between ideas.”

Evaluate

Once we have applied all the prior processes, our next goal is to focus on evaluating this information. Typically this involves us taking a position with how we view things and making an informed critique with everything we have learned. This incentivizes heavy critical thinking which is good in many areas.

“Once we have applied all the prior processes, our next goal is to focus on evaluating this information.”

Create

The final process is somewhat segmented from the rest in that it is effectively being used to create new information. This is good as it uses all the knowledge we've learned from before in a manner that lets us find new and possibly better solutions to existing problems. Creativity is viewed as one of the highest forms of expression and this holds true with the cognitive processes. Each of these can be used in various aspects of your life whether that be for homework or even for research purposes.

Colēgia

Colēgia

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