Processes for Thought

How does the conscious mind use memory to think in organized processes?

We do it all day long (at least most of us), and take it for granted, but how does the mind actually think thoughts in an effective and relevant method? 1 important component of our thinking process, is language. Since we have language, we are able to make much clearer and distinct constructions of thoughts. Language basically allows a short form reference of objects and actions. By using these short form references, it allows us to remember much easier, that which the word references. With easier and more distinct access to memories of any given factors in life, it makes it much easier to make connections between factors. As I mentioned in my last post; Learning Memory Mechanisms, if someone is able to make connections of the cause and effect of the interactions of factors, they should be able to effectively learn. 

Once the ability to make connections between factors is fluid enough, and sufficient words have been saved in memory, for ease and accuracy of reference, then thoughts can be constructed as sentences. Since it seems plausible that all thoughts function via memory access, as I further explained in a post from almost 2 yrs ago; Theory of Thought, the ability to construct a sentence should be quite relevant. Linking words with objects or concepts in memory, seems simple enough as a labelling system, but constructing a sentence using an appropriate, logical and relevant combination of these words, seems to be a whole new level of complexity. 

It seems there should be some degree of conscious thought involved for every word combined into a sentence. Assuming conscious thought is basically accessing memories of factors and their interaction, for each word added to a sentence, the person must access memory of that word (factor), and how it interacts with other words, in order to determine the appropriate word to add to the sentence, to express the overall idea or thought which is intended. 

If thoughts are only memory access, then what is the order of process for the mind to access a memory of a complicated concept, and form a sentence relevant to that concept? It seems that commonly, thoughts are processed in the order of; a concept 1st, then the words saved in memory which are linked to each component of the overall concept. Perhaps a lot of thoughts are processed in this order. 

1) A stimulus causes memory access to an overall concept, which often consists of an interaction of actions and or objects (ie factors), and the result of that interaction 

2) This triggers memory access of particular components of that overall concept. The generalized components would be; factors and the result of their interaction.  

3) Words connected in memory, to the basic factors and their interaction, are accessed. 

4) The words are placed in order respective to the order of interaction of the relevant factors.

As language includes different types of words for different components of a concept, such as; nouns as factors, and verbs as interactions, memory of these components can be accessed before memory of an applicable word to suit that component. There may be many components to any concept which is being “thought of”, but each factor and interaction within the concept can be added step by step, to create the final combination of a concept, described as a sentence. 

When concepts involve components which are less tangible, due to lack of memory of factors or their interactions, which is often due to lack of physical sensory recordings, then thoughts and concepts can be difficult to understand. For eg. the overall concept of this topic..

It seems that each step of a thought, or sentence (if it’s being distinctly expressed) involves some degree of conscious thought, in order to comprehend how each factor interacts within the combination, and which words most effectively describe those factors and interactions. The factors involved to create the combination of the words which were added 1 by 1 to this sentence, via conscious memory access of the interaction of each component, are all part of the Processes for Thought.