Structure of mental process.
The psychic system has the function to create a 'bridging' between the given
state of the organism within its context, and the desired state. The
way this relationship is established is decisive for survival, health and
well-being, and thus indirectly also for reproduction and in a broader
perspective, evolution of the species.
At the core this task is about problem-solving. Because conditions always change and vary, the
problem content is constantly changing and varying, and thus the required
solution shall have to be found anytime again.
In the psychic process therefore, crucial choices are made continuously - mostly
unconsciously - to succeed in making the best 'translation' of facts to aims.
This process constitutes Factor 6 in the Ten Factors Model.
The goal here is always to gather, organize and merge the necessary 'links' between two poles on the time axis:
(A) The initial condition.
The starting point for mental processes is formed by relevant sensory data (input of sense data
) which we may consider to be the 'basic premises'; and
(B) The outcome.
The end point of mental processes is formed by emotional and behavioral responses, (output, result) that
constitute, as it were, the 'final conclusion'.
A necessary component of the psychic process is the formation -
and constant updating - of a representation of the actual situation,
including the circumstances in the context of past, present and future,
therefore taking into account feelings and needs, goals and priorities, resources and opportunities.
The formation of this ad hoc model takes place through various sub-processes including important
cognitive operations. Some of these operations are dependent on other, and
therefore they are organized in phases and sub-phases, and generally ordered in time sequence.
Reconstruction of the current state (collection, interpretation, recognition).
This reconstruction takes place based on continuously incoming data.
This process consists of a number of sub-processes:
A. Information Collection.
Gathering data from immediate ('pure') experience of the material world: through sensory
observation (environment) and body sensations (internal state).
B. Selection and sorting.
First filtering and organizing of incoming data.
Both collecting and selecting of new data occur with aid of Factors 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the Ten Factors Model.
C. Association, contrasting.
(Retrospection, regression; retrivation, retraction; facilitation, disinhibition or
excitation; reactivation, introjection, mobilization).
Initial assessment of the situation. By means of comparing the current input with data already available in short- and
long-term memory.
Through selective search processes in episodic
memory, associative recollection takes place with gradual activation of
previous similar occasional experiences and their implications.
This occurs using Factor 5 in the Ten Factors Model.
D. Substitution; assignment of meaning (interpretation), recognition.
Formation of an overall idea, or concept, of the entire situation of the moment.
By means of derivation from (1A, 1B, and 1C) of the current state, or better, trend. This includes
current physical, emotional and intellectual needs of the organism itself.
This also takes place using Factors 5 and 7 in the Ten Factors Model.
Tracing causes (retro diction, abduction, causal attribution).
The aim of this sub-process is to recover c.q. 'understand' how the current
situation could have arisen, and find out what circumstances might be
sufficient or necessary to change this situation.
This also happens using Factors 5 and 7 in the Ten Factors Model.
Sub-processes are:
A. Reconstruction of pre-existing condition(s).
The first step is regression: search for previous experiences which have led to similar results.
By means of retrieving general cause-effect rules from semantic memory, of which
(I) the conclusion-side, the obtained result or effect, best matches the current situation or trend (1D); and
(II) the premisse-side, the condition or cause, best matches the most recent, other known situations and events.
From this follows a representation (a submodel) of the previous state (retrospective context).
B. Substitution, explanation (abduction).
Derivation from (1D) and (2A) of suspected causes.
Determining the expected state (prediction, deduction).
Given the current situation or trend it is important to take upcoming events into account.
This also happens using Factors 5 and 7 in the Ten Factors Model.
Sub-processes are:
A. Anticipation.
This process starts with retrospection: search for previous experience of which similar results preceded.
By means of retrieving generial cause-effect rules from semantic memory, of which
(I) the premisse-side, the condition or cause, best matches the current state or trend (1C, 1D) and
similar predecessors (2B); and
(II) the conclusion-side, the expected result or effect best matches other possible conditions in the
current context.
B. Substitution; deduction: prediction.
Derivation from (1D), (2B) and (3A), By logical deduction and / or creative imagination, from the expected effect
(externally: physical, social; and internally: bodyly, mental, emotional).
C. Substitution; construction: exploration, preview.
From the latter follows a respresentatie (a submodel) of the expected state or trend (emergent context).
Determining the desired state c.q. target state; or desired change of course ( evaluation,
valuation appraisal motivation).
The function of this process is to know in which direction must be thought and acted from that point in time.
Sub-processes are:
A. Review, valuation (appraisal) Priority.
Determining the desirability of preceding state (2B), current state (1D) and expected state (3B); resulting in value
judgments and preferences.
B. Emotional / affective reaction.
On the basis of adopted value judgments, preferences, wishes and needs, matching physiological responses, are shaped
through lower brain centers, so that emotions are formed.
C. Motivation intension.
Determining wants, needs and goals (target state).
From (4A) and (4B) follows derivation of wants and needs, along the target state (consisting of
short and long-term goals).
D. Integrating new information: Reinterpretation.
The current state (1D) is supplemented by derived data of (2B), (3B), (4A), (4B) and (4C).
E. Feedback to information-gathering.
The result of (4D) can be wholly or partially added to the incoming information of sub-phase (1A).
Determining appropriate actions, devising plan of action.
The next step is determining appropriate actions helping as much as possible to achieve the target state.
The actions envisaged concern tasks and subtasks. To further effectiveness, it is useful to be
able to respond in a given situation in an orderly and efficient manner In time and space.
The tasks and subtasks are therefore arranged into a Action Plan, or ' ad hoc strategy'.
This also happens with aid of Factors of 5, 6, and 9 in the Ten Factors Model.
Sub-processes are:
A. Goal-directed deduction pf required changes and processes.
Determining conditions that are conducive, necessary and sufficient as possible.
By means of retrieving general cause-effect rules from semantic memory, of which
(I) the conclusion-side, the obtained result or effect, best matches the desired state (4C); and
(II) the premisse-side, the supposed condition or cause, best matches the current situation or trend (1D).
B. Calculation of required actions.
Determining possible and necessary processing operations.
By means of derivation on the basis of (5A) of may be necessary or helpful conditions steps, or choices, For the
realization of the target state; in the form of additional cognitive
operations and / or emotional reactions, and / or motor actions.
For the same (sub) goal can, of course, various alternative approaches or strategies may be used.
C. Reaction Planning.
Construction of an Action Plan or 'ad hoc strategy'.
By means of arranging necessary operations and / or actions selected (5B) into a more or less coherent Action Plan
.
D. Testing for sufficient conditions.
It is important to estimate in advance whether the intended purpose will indeed be realized according to
the plan. Therefore the Action Plan needs to be tested for effectivity
, in other words, whether, and to what extent, it will provide sufficient
conditions fulfilling the intended purpose or solution.
E. Deriving results to-be-expected.
The next step is a preventive check, which may give reason to
adjust the plan and / or goal. Part of a preventive check is deriving results to-be-expected
of actions planned (5B, 5C) with respect to targets (4C). This takes place through an internal feedback loop,
or, in higher brain areas, a 'thought experiment'. The expected effects can be external:
physical, social; and internal: bodily, emotional.
By means of retrieving general cause-effect rules From semantic memory, of which
(I) the premisse-side, the condition or cause, best matches planned actions and / or operations (5B, 5C); and
(II) the conclusion-side, the consequence or effect to be expected, best
matches other possible conditions in the current context.
F. Adjusting body chemistry and physiology to Action Plan.
To increase chances of success optimal settings are searched for the physical
and psychological state to execute the plan. The activated information is
tracked back, to the extent of correction signals, towards 'lower', subcortical
systems and mechanisms for a more detailed updating of
processes that are of importance for preparation (preparatory) and execution (participatory
). This may for example concern the specific
observation channel, the global activation ratio, balancing external and / or
internal orientation, the level of alertness, the direction of attention and
other necessary processes for selection and organization.
These changes occur partly using Factors 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 in the Ten Factors Model.
G. Fine-tuning of Action Plan to (changed) body condition.
Integrating newly incoming compatible information into the Action Plan.
H. Testing and Correcting.
Final checks, and possible adjustments of Action Plan.
When new data has become known, components of the Action Plan could
yet be tested in accordance with the expected results (5E) and targets (4C),
and adjusted if necessary.
H. Conclusion, decision.
Finally, a decision is made about action in time and situation given specific context properties.
If the anticipated outcomes (5E) sufficiently match
the desired outcomes (4C), this leadsto execution of the Action Plan.
Initiating the next necessary step according to Action Plan.
The initiating of the next (necessary) action, embedded in the context of time
and location, And mental and motor sub-goals.
This too happens with the aid of Factors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10 in the Ten Factors Model).
Conclusions on similarities and differences across time and contexts (generalization, induction).
In every part of the above processes possibilities exist to infer and / or update general rules as guidelines (
induction, generalization).
This also happens With the aid of Factors of 5 and 6 in the Ten Factors Model.
Adjustments of memory contents (LTM acquisition, conditioning, learning / training).
In addition, for each of the above processes the possibility exists of storage learning experiences into memory
. This is done by adding changes in the short-term model - newly acquired, processed or formed mental
contents - in particular into the episodic and semantic
memory-content. This is useful to complement and customize the Long Term Model ( acquisition);
Memory connections are thus adapted by means of conditioning, or learning effect:
A. Classical conditioning.
Association of simultaneously, or at least shortly after each other, occurring stimuli or conditions.
B. Operant conditioning.
Association of endogenous vegetative, motor, emotional or cortical incentives
(personal conduct); with their subjective, conscious or unconscious outcome
or appreciation. When a mode of behavior is followed by 'reward' ( incentive) or 'punishment' ( adversive
), then this creates strengthening ( positive reinforcement, facilitation), respectively weakening (
negative reinforcement, inhibition) of that behavior.
C. Modification.
1. Elaboration.
New connections are formed.
2. Re-afference.
(confirmation, habituation, routinization, 'streamlining').
Capacities and abilities that are already available, may with each new application be
further revised, refined or affirmed.
3. Activation learning.
Existing connections are strengthened.
4. De-facilitation.
Pre-existing connections which are not used will degenerate, decay or literally be 'forgotten' (extinction).
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