Cognitive processes: description and development

All the knowledge that is available to a person (for example, about the chemical and physical properties of objects, the arrangement of all things, etc.) is the result of the work of the human psyche. Leading role in this process is played by cognitive processes having a different level of complexity.

Each of them has its own characteristics and a special organization, making a unique contribution to the formation of a dynamic and integral picture of the world. Cognitive processes occur simultaneously, but interact seamlessly and unnoticeably for a person.

A special role belongs to the sensory system, which, like a screen, projects the surrounding world in all the richness of forms and colors in our minds. Cognition begins with individual sensations (visual, auditory, taste, etc.). But thanks to perception, they are formed into various images. Each person has a large number of them.

If we talk about ontogeny, then these cognitive processes (sensation and perception) are leading from birth to two or three years. But to create an image of the world this is not enough, since memory is also very important - human ability, which is associated with the ability to remember, store, remember, learn and forget a variety of information. After the birth of the baby in the mind there is a so-called genetic information, due to which it develops in the early years of life. But his memory will allow him to learn and socialize, "absorbing" the results of mankind's achievements. Very quickly the child will learn everything that he will be extremely necessary for a full life.

But cognitive processes "head" thinking, by which is meant a conditioned social and connected psychic phenomenon, inseparable from speech, characterized by a mediated and generalized reflection of interrelations and relationships between different objects. It is thinking that helps the growing up person to analyze the images that have been received and formed, making up the picture of the world in a fraction. This process goes through several stages in ontogenesis.

At the initial stage (up to three years) cognitive processes are "under the influence" of visual-efficient thinking. The child perceives the world through manipulation of surrounding objects, thanks to the complex work of sensations, perception, memory and initial (external) actions.

At the second stage (from three to six to seven years), formation of visual-figurative thinking begins . External actions, ideas about objects and phenomena of the surrounding world are internalized, that is, they turn into the internal plan of action. As a result, the child is now able to think in images, creating his own picture of the world.

But, in order to make it correct and structured, the verbal-logical thinking starts to develop in the maturing person , helping to understand the nuances and laws of the surrounding world.

To change and make it more bright and creative will help the imagination, which is called to form new images of the surrounding world.

The psychology of cognitive processes will be incomplete, if not to allocate a significant role of attention. It is this that helps a person to concentrate on various phenomena of reality.

The development of cognitive processes must begin from the first days after the birth of the child. In this case, there should not be a state of mental deprivation (this is the basic principle). To do this, it is necessary to ensure the presence of bright, diverse sensations and impressions, as well as a constant change of activities and activities. Adults need to keep in mind that the best way to achieve this goal is to play.