What is Cognition

Our brains process information from all directions at all times.

When our sense organs (such as eyes, ears, nose, etc.) receive stimuli, they will first encode and identify the information. This is called "recognition". Then, we interpret the information based on past experiences and choose how to respond. This is "knowing." Through the cooperation of cognition and knowledge, we can find the important parts in a large amount of information, and then think and act.

Everyone is born with cognitive abilities, which include senses, perception, attention, memory, knowledge, language, etc. As we continue to practice and learn, these abilities become more precise. When external stimuli are received by our senses, they will first be selected and filtered, and then decoded and encoded by the brain, turning them into messages that we can understand. Then, thoughts will arise in our minds, followed by corresponding actions.

Senses

These are the tools we use to perceive the world, such as seeing (vision), hearing (auditory), smelling (smell), tasting (gustatory), and touching (haptic). The senses help us gather information about the external environment.

Example: When you touch a cup of hot coffee, the thermoreceptors on your fingers convert the heat into nerve signals and transmit them to the brain, telling you that the coffee is hot.

Perception

This is the process by which our brain interprets sensory information.

Example: You see a dog in a picture. Even if it's just a combination of colors and lines, your brain will organize this information into a complete image that allows you to recognize that this is a dog.

Attention

Attention allows us to focus on something and ignore other distractions.

Example: You are talking to a friend at a noisy party. Although there is a lot of noise around you, your attention is focused on your friend's words and ignores other background sounds.

Memory

Memory is the ability to store and recall information. Short-term memory is used to process immediate events, while long-term memory stores our knowledge and experiences.

Example: You remember your elementary school teacher teaching you how to ride a bicycle. These memories allow you to maintain your balance and control the next time you ride a bicycle, even if you haven't ridden for many years.

Knowledge

Knowledge is all the information we have learned and experienced. It helps us understand the world and make decisions.

Example: You know that it takes one year for the Earth to revolve around the Sun. You learned this knowledge through schooling and reading books.

Language

Language is the tool we use to communicate our thoughts and feelings. It includes speaking, writing and gestural language. Language helps us express ourselves and understand others.

Example: You write a letter in words to express your gratitude to a friend. Through language, you are able to organize your thoughts and communicate them clearly to the other person.

Formation and transmission of cognitive messages

In our daily lives, we receive and transmit messages all the time. Whether seeing a beautiful scenery, hearing a piece of moving music, or communicating with others, these messages are formed and transmitted through complex cognitive processes. The complete information processing mechanism from perception to behavior will be revealed below:

1. Reception of stimulation

First, our sense organs (such as eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin) are responsible for receiving physical and chemical stimuli from the outside world.

For example, when we look at a painting, light passes through the cornea and lens of the eye and forms an image on the retina; when we listen to music, sound wave vibrations are transmitted into the ears, causing the eardrums to vibrate.

2. Sensory shift

These stimuli are then converted into neural signals by receptor cells in the sensory organs. This process is called sensory transformation. Rods and cones in the retina convert light stimuli into electrical signals, and hair cells in the ears convert sound waves into electrical signals.

3. Nerve conduction

After being converted into electrical signals, these signals are sent to specific areas of the brain via sensory nerves. Visual signals are transmitted to the visual cortex of the brain through the optic nerve, and auditory signals are transmitted to the auditory cortex through the auditory nerve. This process ensures that sensory signals reach the brain quickly and accurately for further processing.

4. Perception and decoding

After the brain receives neural signals, it begins to convert them into meaningful sensory experiences. This involves the cooperation of multiple cortical areas in the brain. The visual cortex decodes visual signals, allowing us to see shapes, colors, and motion; the auditory cortex decodes auditory signals, allowing us to hear pitch, timbre, and melody.

5. Attention and choice

In the vast amount of sensory information, we do not pay equal attention to all signals.

In public, we are able to focus on the sound of someone speaking and ignore background noise.

6. Memory and storage

Perceived information may be stored in short-term memory. If the messages are important or repeated, they may be transferred to long-term memory. This process involves the cooperation of hippocampus and cortical areas and is important for learning and memory in our daily lives.

7. Cognitive processing

The prefrontal cortex in the brain is responsible for further cognitive processing, including processes such as understanding, reasoning, problem solving, and decision-making. These processes depend on our experience, knowledge, and context.

For example, when we hear a question, we use previously learned knowledge to think about and answer the question.

8. Reaction generation

Based on our understanding and interpretation of the message, we generate appropriate responses. These responses can be behavioral (such as actions or verbal expressions) or internal (such as emotional responses or thoughts).

For example, when we hear good news, we may smile or express happy emotions.

9. Convey message

If we need to convey a message to another person, we communicate using both verbal and non-verbal means. Verbal messages are transmitted through language production mechanisms, including speech production, grammatical structure, and semantic selection; non-verbal messages include body language, expressions, and gestures.

For example, when communicating with others, we not only speak, but also use gestures and expressions to enhance communication.

For example, when we hear good news, we may smile or express happy emotions.

10. Feedback and corrections

After delivering the message, we will receive feedback from the other party and modify and adjust the message based on the feedback to ensure the effectiveness and accuracy of communication.

For example, during a conversation, we might adjust the speed of our speech, repeat key information, or change the way we express ourselves based on how the other person responds.

The formation and transmission of cognitive information is a highly coordinated and dynamic process involving multiple links such as perception, memory, cognitive processing, and communication. Each link plays an important role in the entire process, ensuring that we receive, understand and deliver messages effectively. Understanding this process not only helps us better understand ourselves, but also improves our communication skills and the quality of social interactions.