Cognition and Complexity: The Cognitive Science of Managing ComplexityCognition and Complexity uses the techniques of cognitive science to provide an innovative new way to cope with information. Thinking and knowing actually mean systematic comprehension (knowing the relationships and interdependencies between facts, processes and contexts) rather than accumulating data and facts. Reeves surveys the various models that organize complex information and synthesizes key aspects into a unified, hierarchical model. He leads readers step by step through a hypothetical situation so they can better understand how his model operates. Educators at all levels, particularly policy makers and practitioners in information science, will find that this experimental model supplies a solid foundation for new ways of learning and teaching in the coming century. With bibliography and index. |
Contents
1 SocioTechnological Context | 1 |
Information Processing Stage | 3 |
Data Overload Statistics | 5 |
The Human Cost | 6 |
2 The Definition of Information | 11 |
Definitions of Information | 15 |
Information Within Disciplines | 18 |
Machlup Critique | 22 |
Dialectical Analysis | 83 |
Comparison of Models | 84 |
Summary | 85 |
6 Wisdom | 87 |
Context | 88 |
Psychology of Wisdom | 92 |
Summary | 99 |
7 Systems Thinking | 101 |
Synthesis | 24 |
Effects on InformationBased Complexity | 26 |
Conclusion to Chapters 1 and 2 | 30 |
3 Problem Solving and Learning Theories | 32 |
Philosophical Foundations | 33 |
Empirical Psychology | 34 |
Gestalt Psychology | 38 |
Applicability to Cognitive Psychology | 39 |
Rationalist Psychology | 41 |
Cognitive Psychology | 43 |
Summary | 52 |
4 Critical Thinking Metaphor and Heuristics | 53 |
Reason and Critical Thinking | 54 |
Critical Thinking | 55 |
Creativity and Understanding | 58 |
Metaphor and Analogy | 60 |
Teaching Problem Solving | 66 |
PreProblemSolving Declarative Knowledge | 71 |
Cognitive Development | 72 |
5 Dialectical or Integrative Thinking | 75 |
Dialectical Thinking and Complexity | 76 |
Adult Cognitive Thinking | 78 |
Conceptual Context | 102 |
Key Concepts and Terms | 105 |
Systems Thinking | 108 |
Summary | 111 |
8 Synthesis and Emergence | 113 |
Cognitive Psychology Mode of Organization | 114 |
Critical and Metaphorical Modes of Organization | 116 |
Heuristics | 118 |
Dialectical Thinking | 121 |
Wisdom | 123 |
Systems Thinking | 124 |
Discussion and Clarification | 126 |
Summary | 127 |
9 The Understanding Heuristic | 129 |
Understanding Heuristic | 131 |
Detail and Examples | 136 |
Conclusion | 152 |
1O Conclusion | 153 |
References | 158 |
| 167 | |
About the Author | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
ability abstract adult aimed analogy apply aspects Baltes and Smith Banathy basic Basseches chapter cognitive development cognitive psychology cognitive science components concepts connectionism contends context create creativity critical thinking dealing declarative knowledge defined definition of information described designer dialectical thinking disciplines discussion elements encoding environment epistemic evaluative example existing experience filter focus focuses formation fundamental Gestalt Gestalt Psychology goal human individual information overload information processing information-based complexity insight integrative intelligence interactions investment knowing knowl knowledge structures Kramer learning logical Machlup mation meaning metaphor metaphorical thinking modes mutual fund nature negentropic one's organization pattern perspective Polya's problem of information problem solving procedural knowledge questions reflective judgment relationships relevant representation schema theory self-reflection sense skills solution specific stages stance Sternberg strategies systems theory systems thinking techniques thematic thought tion topic understanding heuristic Vertical thinking wisdom Wurman York