Self Help Learning, Actions, Results

How does language & cognition connect/interact/relate with perception, motivation, memory, and learning?

This is for Psychology class.

Public Comments

1. I got a D in psychology of language buddy, back when I was in college, and just because I actually hold the degree and you don't, that doesn't mean I'm smarter than you are nor qualified to answer that question. Look man, the only advice I can give you regarding anything related to psychology of language, is basically... 1) give up television 2) video games 3) going out with friends 4) the video store 5) stock up on red bulls and 6) shut yourself in your room, and do nothing but study all day until that hellish class is over. Psychology of language is a b*tch man, I've been there; the one I took over the summer at Washington State University, the professor opened it with "All of you will get D's, except four of you, three of which will get B's, and only one who will get an A" Yes, he was one of those professors. Everyone's favorite in college! Dude, you will have to figure that one out on your own after dedicating entire study days exclusively to that class. I never did that, that is why I got a terrible grade in it. I will explain why the class is so hard; The fundamental structure, the software if you will, of the human brain, the abstract part of it we call the mind, is rooted in various aspects of communication. Communication is not just words, it takes the form of numbers, shapes, symbols, faces, sounds, lights, sensations (internal and external) and what we call language/cognition, is in fact simply a name for one of the many things the brain simply interprets as "data." The connection between memory and it, is that it can't work without memory, obviously enough, but not just that; getting more into detail, cognition is directly tied to working memory. Working memory; recalling information with great speed, example, that show Jeopardy. Ever see contestants hit the buzzers all at the same time? You ever see situations where two of them are hammering at the button they know the answer but they are a split second too late and only one gets it? That is an example of working memory. Also, when you solve a math problem, in recalling all the rules, from basic arithmetic, to, oh, the rules governing the vertex of the parabolla, from the most rudimentary, to the most headache inducing, in recalling all the rules to work the equation, you are using working memory. Thus, working memory specifically, and language/cognition, are co dependent. As to motivation; well, memory works in conjunction with classical conditioning, as our behavior is often rooted in memories programmed into us Pavlovian style, and memories have such power, long after the stimuli has been removed, the body, no, the brain, still has an emotional response to them. If the memories are traumatic ones, traumatic ones that affect the deepest parts of a person's psyche, this can affect overall cognition because a person who sees themselves as subhuman on the deepest mental level will not have a neural structure operating at optimal efficiency, thus learning is hampered. If you want a "D" grade by all means use this answer; I wasn't at all clear as what you are asking is the fundamental structure of human nature which, crap man, Psychologists themselves haven't figured out, nor will they likely figure it out because modern psychology does not have roots deep enough in neurobiology and biophysics, where I feel the true answers to human nature lie, and possibly even cures to several mental illnesses but hey, why listen to a crazy guy on the net right? later.