The Power of Socially Shared Cognition: Understanding Knowledge Sharing in Social Contexts

socially sharedcognition

A shared understanding of a problem that emerges during a group interaction that would not have been achieved by an individual member of the group alone (O’Donnell et al., 2016, p. 120)

Socially shared cognition refers to the idea that cognitive processes can be shared and distributed among individuals in social contexts. It is based on the assumption that knowledge and thoughts can be co-constructed and shared among people through communication and interaction.

The concept of socially shared cognition highlights the importance of social interaction in the construction and distribution of knowledge. It suggests that social interactions can contribute to the development of shared mental models and a common understanding of a problem or task, which can facilitate cooperation and collaboration among individuals.

There are different ways in which socially shared cognition can occur, including through verbal communication, nonverbal cues, and shared physical environments. For example, in a group problem-solving task, members can share their thoughts and perspectives through verbal communication, while nonverbal cues such as facial expressions and gestures can also contribute to the communication of ideas and emotions.

Socially shared cognition has implications for educational contexts, as it suggests that collaborative learning can be an effective way to promote knowledge sharing and problem solving among students. It also highlights the importance of considering social factors in the design of learning environments and instructional strategies.

Overall, socially shared cognition emphasizes the importance of social interaction in cognitive processes and can provide insights into how knowledge is constructed and shared among individuals in social contexts.

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