COGNITIVE PROCESSING IN THE REAL WORLD
COGNITIVE PROCESSING IN THE REAL WORLD (HL ONLY)
❖ The influence of digital technology on cognitive processes
❖ The positive and negative effects of modern technology on cognitive processes
❖ Methods used to study the interaction between DTs and Cognitive processes
NICHOLAS CARR
Nicholas Carr's book "The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains"
Carr argues that the brain changes from the use of technology in a negative way in his book The Shallows. One of his main points is that constant surfing undermines concentration, memory, and knowledge. He also claims that our brains are influenced at a cellular level and loses the ability to focus.
Nicholas Carr's book "The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains" indeed presents a critical view of how the internet and technology affect our cognitive abilities. Carr argues that the internet, with its constant stream of information and distractions, is reshaping the neural pathways of our brains, leading to a reduction in our capacity for deep thinking and concentration.
One of his key points is that the frequent use of the internet encourages a skimming and scanning form of reading, rather than deep, focused reading. This habit, Carr suggests, undermines our ability to concentrate and engage in contemplative thought. He also touches on the impact of this kind of internet usage on memory and knowledge retention.
Carr's argument extends to the idea that the changes are not just behavioral but also physical - at a cellular level within the brain. He suggests that the brain's plasticity, its ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences, means that our increasing reliance on the internet and technology could lead to a long-term decline in our ability to focus and engage in deep thinking.
While Carr's book has been influential and sparked much discussion, it's important to note that his views are subject to debate within the scientific community. Some researchers agree with his concerns, while others argue that the effects of internet usage on cognition are more nuanced and not entirely negative. The topic continues to be an area of active research and discussion in neuroscience and psychology.
CATHERINE STEINER -ADAIR
Catherine Steiner-Adair is a prominent figure in the field of child development, particularly in the context of how children and families are affected by technology. While she has had connections with Harvard University, her primary role is not as a faculty member there. Her work extends beyond academia into practical applications in education, psychology, and family counseling.
Key aspects of Steiner-Adair's work include:
Impact of Technology on Development: Steiner-Adair has extensively researched and spoken about the impact of digital technology on children's social and emotional development. She explores how constant connectivity can affect attention spans, social skills, and the ability to form healthy relationships.
Attention Spans: Steiner-Adair has discussed how the constant use of digital technology, with its rapid-fire stimuli and instant gratification, can affect children's attention spans. She suggests that the brief, fragmented nature of digital interactions might make it more challenging for children to engage in tasks that require sustained attention and deep focus.
Social Skills Development: A crucial aspect of her work is the impact of technology on the development of social skills. Steiner-Adair warns that excessive screen time can limit face-to-face interactions, which are essential for learning social cues, empathy, and effective communication skills. Steiner-Adair points out that increased screen time often comes at the expense of in-person interactions. These interactions are crucial for children as they are foundational for learning non-verbal communication cues, such as facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, and eye contact. During face-to-face interactions, children learn to read and respond to social cues. This learning is vital for developing social intelligence. Steiner-Adair suggests that when children spend too much time on screens, they may miss out on these essential experiences, potentially leading to difficulties in understanding and navigating social situations. Empathy is cultivated through direct interactions where children can perceive and interpret others' emotions. Steiner-Adair raises concerns that excessive use of digital devices can hinder this empathetic development. Online interactions often lack the depth and emotional nuance of face-to-face conversations, making it more challenging for children to develop a deep understanding and empathy for others. The ability to communicate effectively is a critical life skill. Steiner-Adair warns that over reliance on digital forms of communication, like texting and social media, can limit children's opportunities to practice and develop these skills. Real-life conversations often require more complex and nuanced forms of expression and understanding than digital interactions.
Emotional intelligence involves recognising, understanding, and managing one's own emotions, as well as recognizing and influencing the emotions of others. Steiner-Adair emphasises that emotional intelligence is largely developed through direct, personal interactions, which can be diminished with excessive screen time.
Catherine Steiner-Adair's concerns about the impact of excessive screen time on children's social and emotional development can indeed be related to the concept of mirror neurons. Mirror neurons are a type of brain cell that respond equally when we perform an action and when we witness someone else perform the same action. This discovery has significantly enhanced our understanding of social interactions and empathy. .Mirror neurons play a crucial role in learning through observation. They are thought to be involved in understanding others' actions, intentions, and emotions. In face-to-face interactions, children observe and mimic facial expressions, gestures, and emotional responses, which is essential for social learning. Steiner-Adair's emphasis on the importance of real-life interactions for developing social skills and empathy aligns with the functioning of mirror neurons.
One of the key functions of mirror neurons is to help in the development of empathy. When children engage in direct interactions with others, their mirror neurons are activated, allowing them to understand and feel what others are experiencing. Steiner-Adair’s concerns about reduced empathy due to limited face-to-face interaction can be linked to the reduced activation of these neurons in digital interactions, which are often less emotionally engaging and nuanced.
THE STILL FACE EXPERIMENT
The Still Face Experiment, developed by Dr. Edward Tronick in the 1970s, is a well-known psychological study that demonstrates the importance of emotional and social connection for infants. It parallels Catherine Steiner-Adair's critique on face-toface intercations. . Just as the unresponsive, 'still face' of a caregiver can disrupt a child's social and emotional learning, excessive screen time can similarly limit opportunities for children to engage in and learn from face-to-face interactions,
Forming Healthy Relationships: Steiner-Adair raises concerns about how technology can influence children's ability to form and maintain healthy relationships. She points out that online interactions can sometimes replace more meaningful, in-person connections, potentially leading to a sense of isolation or superficial relationships.
Impact on Family Dynamics: Steiner-Adair also emphasizes the role of technology in family dynamics. She notes that when parents are overly focused on their devices, it can lead to a sense of emotional distance for children, affecting their emotional security and attachment.
Emotional Development: Another important aspect of her work is the influence of technology on emotional development. Constant connectivity can lead to issues such as decreased emotional regulation skills, as children might turn to devices for immediate comfort or distraction, rather than learning to process and manage their emotions in healthier ways.
Cyberbullying and Online Safety: Additionally, her work touches on the risks associated with technology use, such as exposure to cyberbullying and inappropriate content, which can have significant impacts on a child’s social and emotional well-being
Educational Context: In the educational sphere, Steiner-Adair addresses how technology impacts learning and social dynamics in schools. She offers guidance to educators on integrating technology in ways that support learning while also nurturing social and emotional skills.
The Big Disconnect: Her book, "The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age," is a key resource in understanding her perspectives. In it, she provides insights into how technology is reshaping childhood, family life, and education. She also offers practical advice for creating a balanced relationship with digital technology.
Professional Role and Outreach: Beyond research and writing, Steiner-Adair works as a consultant and speaker, offering expertise to schools, parent groups, and organisations on child development and the challenges posed by digital technology. Her work includes workshops and training sessions aimed at developing healthier tech habits and fostering better family communication
To address these issues, Steiner-Adair advocates for a balanced approach to technology use. She encourages parents and educators to set limits on screen time, promote face-to-face interactions, and engage children in activities that foster real-world social and emotional skills
TRANSACTIVE MEMORY
Transactive memory is a concept in psychology and cognitive science that refers to a shared system of remembering information within a social group, like a family, friends, or coworkers. This system effectively extends an individual's memory capacity by relying on others to remember certain pieces of information.
In the context of technology, especially with tools like Google or other AI systems, transactive memory has evolved. People increasingly rely on digital devices and the internet as external storage of their long-term memory. For instance, instead of remembering specific facts or details, individuals often remember how to find that information online. This phenomenon can be considered an extension or adaptation of the transactive memory system, where the "others" in the system are not just human collaborators but also digital tools and resources.
In summary, transactive memory is a shared memory system where individuals depend on one another (and increasingly, on technology) for information storage and retrieval, effectively using external sources as an extension of their own memory.
