Cognition

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Cognitive skills are needed to process information. In order to learn, retain and use our knowledge, we need to be able to use all of these skills effectively:

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• Attend to incoming information (sustained, selective and divided attention).

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• Quickly process all the details (processing speed).

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• Remember what we heard, saw or read (working, short-term and long-term memory).

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• Decide what to do with the information (reasoning and problem solving skills). 

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Linguistics

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Linguistics is the study of language. In order to communicate effectively we need to have a good command of these language skills:

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• Form: the sounds, words, and sentences (language) we use to convey information (phonology, morphology and syntax).

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• Content: putting sounds, words, and sentences together in a way that has meaning (semantics).

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• Use: following the socially driven rules to utilize language for a purpose (pragmatics).

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Executive Functions

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Executive functions are higher level cognitive functions that continue to develop into early

adulthood. These skills are essential to:

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• Organize/Set Goals

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• Plan/Prioritize

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• Initiate/Implement

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• Following through

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• Evaluate/Make changes

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• Self-monitor

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• Control emotions

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Putting it all together:

• Successful functioning is dependent on effective communication.

• Effective communication relies on fluid cognition.       

• Cognitive stress makes thinking and reasoning more difficult.

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for January 09, 1995