Cognitive flexibility effects

SKILL: 4. Working both collaboratively and autonomously

TITLE: Cognitive flexibility effects

SUBTITLE: 

EQF LEVEL (INTERNAL REFERENCE):   3

Keywords: 

1 Perspective

2 Change

3 Mindset

4 Cognitive flexibility

5 Obstacles

Introduction: 

By the end of this LU, you will be able to comprehend the effects of cognitive flexibility:

Content:

Cognitive flexibility is the ability to adapt our behaviour and thinking in response to the environment. It is considered a core aspect of executive functioning which includes the mental processes that allow us to plan, focus our attention, remember instructions and juggle different tasks at the same time.

Cognitive flexibility leads to better “cold cognition”, which is rational thinking, throughout our lifespan. In children, it leads to better reading abilities and better school performance. 

It is also associated with higher resilience to negative life events and to a better quality of life in older people . It can also be beneficial in emotional and social cognition. As research has shown,cognitive flexibility has a strong link with the ability to understand others’ emotions, thoughts and intentions. 

Mental (cognitive) flexibility allows us to assess and adjust to the different tasks, roles and responsibilities that we are presented with everyday with less stress. It moves us away from limiting thought patterns to more openness and possibility.It is the key to creativity since it is the ability to think of new ideas, make innovative connections between ideas and create new inventions. It also supports problem solving. 

Let’s take a look at the following video to further understand its effects. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHHEhevWZYE 

Resources:  

• https://www.careerone.com.au/career-advice/career/the-5-benefits-of-having-a-growth-mindset-3036 
• https://blog.innerdrive.co.uk/benefits-of-growth-mindset-explained 
• https://www.prospectmedical.com/resources/wellness-center/mental-flexibility 
• https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/cognitive-flexibility-thinking-iq-intelligence/#:~:text=Huge%20advantages,skills%20such%20as%20problem%20solving. 

Language Point 

Using “since” as a subordinating conjunction. 

When used as a subordinating conjunction before a subordinate clause, “since” is used to give a reason to something. 

For example:

It is the key to creativity since it is the ability to think of new ideas, make innovative connections between ideas and create new inventions