Lesson 2: Thinking and Memory

5 - Thinking Basics

Two categories of behaviour are important:

Explicit Behaviour:
This is behaviour that is easily observed and measured. Explicit behaviour is sometimes referred to as overt behaviour. When you think of the word overt, think of open or easily seen. For example, any behaviour involving strenuous muscular activity such as a man lifting a heavy box is explicit behaviour. Raising your hand to answer a question is also overt.

Implicit Behaviour:
Implicit behaviour is not easily observable by another person and is usually only detected with the aid of special sensitive measuring instruments. It is sometimes referred to as covert behaviour. When you see the word covert, think of covered or hidden behaviour. For example, one’s face remains expressionless but the pupils of the eyes dilate to indicate mild surprise. It could be detected by the use of special instruments. When a person thinks about how to solve a puzzle, the observer cannot see this individual’s thinking processes.

Implicit Speech:
Implicit speech refers to the tiny muscular reactions that are produced while the individual is engaged in thinking. If you look closely, you can see the vocal chords moving. The person is said to be sub-vocalizing while reading; it is inbetween oral reading and genuine silent reading. Implicit speech has two vital roles; it receives and assimilates external stimuli and it processes data internally.

So what is thinking? Thinking is part of everything we do. Thinking is the mental processes and skills we use to shape our lives. Thinking is not an occasional mental activity. It goes on all the time without awareness. Thinking organizes reality for us. It creates alternative realities we might hope to achieve or avoid; that is, it brings images to us of the way things might be if we proceed in certain directions.

The brain has various localized centres for vision, sensory responses, or certain muscular reactions, but it does not appear to have a localized thought centre. Localized means that we can pinpoint a specific area responsible for each of those functions.

Thinking is the most complex activity that people perform. It is more than just perception or an awareness of the environment. Thinking is an implicit behaviour by which an individual becomes aware of and manipulates past experiences by means of symbols. This allows us to review the choices we have and make the best decisions possible.