Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-j824f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-04T21:38:03.712Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The role of language in the dual process theory of thinking

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2003

Jonathan St. B. T. Evans
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Centre for Thinking and Language, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, [email protected]
David E. Over
Affiliation:
University of Sunderland

Abstract

Carruthers’proposals would seem to implicate language in what is known as System 2 thinking (explicit) rather than System 1 thinking (implicit) in contemporary dual process theories of thinking and reasoning. We provide outline description of these theories and show that while Carruthers’characterization of non-verbal processes as domain-specific identifies one critical feature of System 1 thinking, he appears to overlook the fact that much cognition of this type results from domain-general learning processes. We also review cognitive psychological evidence that shows that language and the explicit representations it supports are heavily involved in supporting System 1 thinking, but falls short of supporting his claim that it is the medium in which domain-general thinking occurs.

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)