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Infracognition May Be The Winner!

Lillian Skinner

In cognitive science, the relationship between metacognition and infracognition offers a fascinating lens through which to examine the nature of intelligence. This analysis will explore these cognitive processes using the model of wild and domesticated foxes, followed by an examination of human cognitive patterns. If you know me you know this fox analogy is a theme for me. What can I say I really like foxes. They are my spirit animal.



Wild Fox Cognitive Model:

Consider the wild fox (Vulpes vulpes) in its natural habitat. Its survival depends on a seamless integration of what we term metacognitive and infracognitive processes. The wild fox's sensory-emotional integration operates at a highly efficient level. When a potential threat is detected, the fox's infracognitive processes immediately tag sensory input with emotional information, preparing the body for action before conscious awareness occurs (Damasio, 1996).

This rapid, intuitive pattern recognition allows the wild fox to instantly identify subtle environmental cues, such as the presence of prey or predators. The fox's behavior demonstrates embodied simulation, where past experiences inform current actions without conscious deliberation. This integration of sensory, emotional, and cognitive processes results in split-second decision-making crucial for survival in a dynamic environment (Mottron et al., 2006).

Domesticated Fox Cognitive Model:

In contrast, examine the domesticated fox, a product of selective breeding experiments like those conducted by Russian geneticists (Trut et al., 2009). The cognitive processes of the domesticated fox show a shift towards more deliberate, less integrated responses. When confronted with a novel stimulus, the domesticated fox may exhibit slower reaction times and look to human handlers for cues, indicating a reliance on more metacognitive processes of planning and evaluation.

This distinction illustrates a potential separation of cognitive processes through domestication. The domesticated fox may need explicit training to recognize environmental cues that its wild counterpart instinctively perceives. This shift suggests a move towards more structured, compartmentalized cognitive processes, potentially at the expense of the rapid, integrated response seen in wild foxes.

Human Cognitive Models:

Transitioning to human cognition, we can observe similar patterns of integrated versus separated cognitive processes.

Integrated Human Cognition:

Some individuals exhibit a cognitive style that integrates metacognitive and infracognitive processes, akin to the wild fox model. When faced with complex decisions, these individuals not only employ conscious analytical strategies but also incorporate intuitive insights and bodily sensations into their decision-making process. This integration often results in innovative problem-solving and rapid adaptation to new situations (Barrett, 2020).

For example, in a study of expert decision-making, Klein (1998) found that experienced firefighters often made critical decisions based on pattern recognition and intuition, integrating years of embodied knowledge with rapid situational assessment.

Separated Human Cognition:

Conversely, other individuals may rely more heavily on metacognitive strategies, similar to the domesticated fox model. These individuals tend to approach problems through systematic analysis, consciously monitoring their progress and evaluating their strategies. While this approach can be highly effective in structured environments, it may lead to difficulties in situations requiring intuitive leaps or rapid adaptation (Flavell, 1979).

Research in educational psychology has shown that students trained primarily in metacognitive strategies may struggle with tasks requiring creative problem-solving or intuitive understanding (Schraw & Moshman, 1995).

Integration of Cognitive Processes:

The human capacity for neuroplasticity suggests that individuals can cultivate a more integrated cognitive style, effectively "rewilding" their intelligence (Doidge, 2007). This involves developing awareness of both metacognitive and infracognitive processes and learning to utilize them in harmony.

Studies in embodied cognition demonstrate that integrating bodily sensations and emotional awareness into decision-making processes can lead to more effective outcomes, particularly in complex or ambiguous situations (Shapiro, 2019; Wilson, 2002).

Conclusion:

The comparison between wild and domesticated fox cognitive models provides a valuable framework for understanding the integration of metacognitive and infracognitive processes in human cognition. While some individuals may naturally tend towards a more integrated or separated cognitive style, the plasticity of the human brain allows for the cultivation of a more balanced approach.

Future research directions may include investigating the neurological basis for these different cognitive styles and developing interventions to promote cognitive integration. Understanding and fostering this integration could have significant implications for education, decision-making in various fields, and our overall understanding of human potential.

References:

1.     Barrett, L. F. (2020). Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

2.     Damasio, A. R. (1996). Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain. Quill.

3.     Doidge, N. (2007). The Brain That Changes Itself. Penguin Books.

4.     Flavell, J. H. (1979). Metacognition and cognitive monitoring: A new area of cognitive-developmental inquiry. American Psychologist, 34(10), 906-911.

5.     Klein, G. (1998). Sources of Power: How People Make Decisions. MIT Press.

6.     Mottron, L., Dawson, M., Soulières, I., Hubert, B., & Burack, J. (2006). Enhanced perceptual functioning in autism: An update, and eight principles of autistic perception. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36(1), 27-43.

7.     Schraw, G., & Moshman, D. (1995). Metacognitive theories. Educational Psychology Review, 7(4), 351-371.

8.     Shapiro, L. (2019). Embodied Cognition. Routledge.

9.     Trut, L., Oskina, I., & Kharlamova, A. (2009). Animal evolution during domestication: the domesticated fox as a model. BioEssays, 31(3), 349-360.

10.  Wilson, M. (2002). Six views of embodied cognition. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 9(4), 625-636.

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