The theory of thinking as a process: an experimental confirmation

Abstract

The paper deals with the main provisions of the theory of thinking A.V. Brushlinsky, its development in modern psychology. Thinking in this theory is presented as a continuous process of human interaction with the object. Psychological content of thinking includes eight levels — from structural to subject. The cognitive plan of thinking is significantly expanded due to the allocation of not only forms (studied mainly by formal logic, epistemology), mental actions (operations), but also mental processes. The introduction of process components have been theoretically and experimentally substantiated. The paper presents experimental studies of changes in personal parameters (in particular, cognitive style) in the course of the thought process, the dynamics of intellectual conscious and unconscious components in solving problems by the subject, the influence of thinking on the intellect, the effects of critical thinking, etc. The main provisions of the «process» theory of thinking and the action of thought processes are included in the system of various contexts: the functioning of cognitive styles, the use of “subsensory” tips by the subject, the work of the individual with training programs in virtual reality ... It is shown that mental processes (thinking as a process) are interconnected and, as a rule, determine the functioning of mental operations (mental actions), lead to micro-changes in the personality plan of thinking, functioning components of intelligence, provide formation of new elements of thinking in the course of solving problems. The structure of psychological content of thinking from the perspective of subject-activity and systemic approaches in psychology, including 8 levels. It is shown that the theory of thinking as process of A.V. Brushlinsky provides reflection of the differentiated content of mental activity in which cognitive plan along with formal (level of forms) and operational (level of operations) it is expedient to allocate process components.