Logic and reasoning are the skills required for individuals to solve difficult problems based on the information available. Logic and reasoning help individuals think through the various options available to them and help them weigh the merits of each.

Strong logic helps people understand what tasks to do and in what order. Emotional intelligence is critical to maintaining positive relationships. Focused attention helps individuals prioritise tasks, especially when several competing priorities exist.

This essential cognitive skill helps people stay focused and organised. Whenever the brain is presented with new information, new connections form between neurons.

Learning takes place when new connections are formed between a network of neurons, and forgetting takes place when these connections fall away.

Connections within the brain are formed when two stimuli are paired together. For example, when children observe how adults behave, they use this behaviour as a model for their own. Memory is the process in which the brain encodes, stores and retrieves information.

Memory includes both what people consciously remember and ingrained knowledge that they may be unconsciously aware of. Understanding how people learn is an important research area for cognitive psychologists. One theory that helps them understand this is cognitive learning theory.

Cognitive learning theory uses metacognition, or the idea that individuals think about their own thinking, to explain how people learn throughout their lifetimes. Fundamentally, cognitive learning theory can be used to help people enhance their memory retention and their overall productivity by understanding their thought processes while they learn, meaning that their learning can be guided more effectively.

According to the developmental psychologist Jean Piaget, children move through four stages of cognitive development as they become adults.

Understanding these stages is important in understanding what individuals are capable of learning and understanding at any point in their lives. In the sensorimotor stage, infants and toddlers acquire knowledge through their senses and by handling objects.

Their development mostly takes place through basic reflexes and motor responses, including sucking, grasping, looking and listening. In the preoperational stage, language begins to develop. Children in this stage start to use words and pictures and understand the relationship between language and objects in their everyday lives.

They do, however, struggle to see things from the perspective of others and think in very concrete terms. In the concrete operational stage, children become better at using logic and at understanding the perspective of others.

They begin to understand how to have more complex conversations and can use inductive logic reasoning from specific information. In the formal operational stage, the final stage of cognitive development, children and young adults increase their use of logic and can understand abstract ideas.

Cognitive learning theory can also be applied in a workplace setting to help individuals excel and succeed in their careers via workplace learning.

Instructors can use different techniques to help individuals positively adjust their behaviour and learn more effectively, including the following:. Cognitive behavioural theory seeks to explain how thoughts and feelings can influence behaviour, and how, in turn, these thoughts and feelings can affect learning.

By using cognitive behavioural theory, instructors try to assist learners to have a positive mindset, so they can learn most effectively and retain information. Instructors endeavour to motivate and incentivise students and ensure that they can focus in the classroom. The concepts of implicit and explicit learning help instructors structure their learning to maximise the amount of information learners can retain.

Implicit learning is learning that occurs without effort, whereas explicit learning does require effort. Boosting cognitive thinking can also have many other benefits, including that it:. Here are seven tips to boost it. Research has shown that physical activity improves cognitive performance and memory , including the ability to learn, manage stress and make better decisions.

Good quality sleep, and enough of it ideally seven to nine hours each night , helps put people in a better mood and gives them the energy they need for the day. Sleep also helps sharpen the brain by flushing out toxins that build up during the day.

The cognitive skills required to interact, including using language and memory, are critical to ensuring continued brain health. One great way to improve cognitive thinking is to try new things.

When trying something new, new connections are formed in the brain, which helps to keep the brain healthy and provides a new and exciting challenge for the individual. Learning a new language can greatly assist cognitive thinking as it helps individuals understand how to communicate in a completely different way.

It also gives insights into different cultures and perspectives. Contrary to popular belief, individuals can learn a new language at any time of their lives by practising and exercising patience.

Tips for learning a new language to enhance cognitive thinking:. Board games, card games and video games can all help activate higher-order cognitive skills , as they involve socialising, strategising, reasoning, solving problems and many other skills.

Your brain will become stronger and work better with enhanced use. Investing in increasing cognitive thinking is critical for better performance, at work and in life. It can help you make better decisions, be more productive, have a better social life and, importantly, prevent cognitive decline as you age.

Ultimately, understanding cognitive thinking can give you insight into how you think, and also why you think the way you do. Armed with this information, you can objectively assess and work towards your goals in life.

Want to learn more about human cognition and behaviour? Our Graduate Diploma of Psychology Bridging will give you the opportunity to learn about contemporary theories of psychology, including social and cognitive psychology.

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Enquire Now. JCU Online Blog. Data Science. Study Online. DOWNLOAD COURSE GUIDE. The role of cognitive thinking To live our best lives at any stage, optimal cognitive thinking is important, as it enables us to perform better when studying and while at work. Practices such as these can help improve cognitive thinking: Staying active Getting enough sleep Engaging socially Practising mindfulness Trying new things Learning a new language Playing games.

What is cognitive thinking? Cognitive biases Another important research topic in the field of cognitive thinking is cognitive biases. Cognitive psychologists are interested in many different types of biases.

Anchoring bias Anchoring bias causes people to believe or get attached to the first available piece of information, and then unconsciously use it to influence their decision-making process, even when that information is incorrect.

Confirmation bias In general, people want to believe what they already believe. Negativity bias In general, people enjoy positive events but are more impacted by negative events and outcomes. Actor-observer bias Actor-observer bias refers to how individuals see themselves in situations, as opposed to how they see others.

The halo effect The halo effect is a type of bias characterised by the first impression that individuals may have of someone or something. Cognitive processes and mental health One particularly interesting research area for cognitive psychologists is how cognitive thinking can be used to assist with mental health via cognitive behavioural therapy CBT.

Cognitive processes and skills Fundamentally, cognitive processes are what enable us to think, acquire knowledge, remember, read, pay attention and make critical decisions.

Cognitive processes The six primary cognitive processes are: 1. Thought As one of the foundational cognitive processes, thought is essential in helping individuals make decisions, solve problems and access higher-order reasoning skills that help them assess the merits of the options available to them.

Attention As the name suggests, attention is how well individuals can stay focused on the task at hand, regardless of what distractions surround them. Learning Throughout life, human beings are constantly taking in new information and learning.

Perception Perception is the cognitive process that allows individuals to take in sights, sounds, smells and information via touch and to mentally process this information and respond to it. Memory Memory is the cognitive process that relates to how well individuals recall information, both in the short term and in the long term.

Cognitive skills Cognitive skills use cognitive processes, so individuals can better acquire knowledge and make important decisions. Here are five essential cognitive skills. Critical thinking Critical thinking helps individuals evaluate information and conduct logical thought processes.

Quantitative skills Quantitative skills involve the use of mathematics and statistics to help individuals turn ideas into measurements and to use these measurements to make important decisions.

Logic and reasoning Logic and reasoning are the skills required for individuals to solve difficult problems based on the information available.

Focused attention Focused attention helps individuals prioritise tasks, especially when several competing priorities exist. How the brain learns Whenever the brain is presented with new information, new connections form between neurons.

How the brain remembers Memory is the process in which the brain encodes, stores and retrieves information. Cognitive learning theory Understanding how people learn is an important research area for cognitive psychologists. Stages of cognitive development According to the developmental psychologist Jean Piaget, children move through four stages of cognitive development as they become adults.

Stage 1: Sensorimotor stage birth to two years old In the sensorimotor stage, infants and toddlers acquire knowledge through their senses and by handling objects.

Stage 2: Preoperational stage two to seven years old In the preoperational stage, language begins to develop. Stage 3: Concrete operational stage seven to 11 years old In the concrete operational stage, children become better at using logic and at understanding the perspective of others.

Stage 4: Formal operational stage 12 years old and up In the formal operational stage, the final stage of cognitive development, children and young adults increase their use of logic and can understand abstract ideas.

Collaborative learning Cognitive learning theory can also be applied in a workplace setting to help individuals excel and succeed in their careers via workplace learning.

Instructors in workplaces use the following cognitive learning theory concepts: Social cognitive theory Social cognitive theory explores how people adjust their behaviour over time to create goals.

Instructors can use different techniques to help individuals positively adjust their behaviour and learn more effectively, including the following: Positive and negative reinforcement Reciprocal determinism Observational learning Self-regulatory capability Emotional coping.

Cognitive behavioural theory Cognitive behavioural theory seeks to explain how thoughts and feelings can influence behaviour, and how, in turn, these thoughts and feelings can affect learning. Implicit and explicit learning The concepts of implicit and explicit learning help instructors structure their learning to maximise the amount of information learners can retain.

Boosting cognitive thinking can also have many other benefits, including that it: Helps individuals make more objective decisions. Implementing lifestyle changes can help to develop many aspects of our cognition. Engaging in consistent and diverse stimulation is a powerful tool in developing our brain function.

As our brains continue to mature during our lifetime, these techniques may help to positively enhance our performance:. Cognitively stimulating leisure activities, such as word games, puzzles, gardening or writing calligraphy, can produce similar results to cognitive training programs and have a significant effect on the delay and reduction of cognitive decline.

If we keep our furry friends engaged, and introduce new stimuli continuously, their knowledge can flourish. By implementing lifestyle changes that expose ourselves to a variety of cognitively stimulating activities and ideas as well as regular physical activity, our neural network will respond with new connections and increased function.

Through collaboration, a healthcare professional can work with individuals to determine physical and mental activities that complement areas of their cognitive function they may want to enhance. Cognitive Enhancement. The Impact of Exercise on Brain Health and Preservation November 29, Stress Management Resources October 3, How Yoga Affects the Brain and Body to Reduce Stress October 3, Enhancing Memory Through the Power of Aerobic Exercise August 4, Can Lifestyle Reverse Your Biological Age?

April 26, THE EVIDENCE. As our brains continue to mature during our lifetime, these techniques may help to positively enhance our performance: Aerobic activity can benefit our health in many ways, but consistent aerobic exercise can improve brain processing and play a key role in reducing neurodegeneration.

Performing moderate to vigorous physical activity has been shown to not only improve brain processing but also memory, executive functioning, and subsequent academic performance. Meditation and mindfulness practices can improve attention, memory, speech, cognitive flexibility, and potentially increase cognitive capacity.

Cognitive training programs can have a positive effect on our brain health, and may increase in benefit when paired with exercise. A Mediterranean inspired diet that emphasizes vegetables, fruits and healthy fats, with relatively few meats and refined sugars can reduce risk for depression or dementia and improve cognitive functioning and retention of cognitive functions in older healthy adults.