comn 2111 the mind in communication: the adaptive (cognitive) unconscious lecture 5a

COMN 2111 COMN 2111

THE MIND IN THE MIND IN COMMUNICATION:COMMUNICATION:

THE ADAPTIVE (COGNITIVE) THE ADAPTIVE (COGNITIVE) UNCONSCIOUS UNCONSCIOUS

Lecture 5a Lecture 5a

A ReviewA Review In the lectures on Culture we discussed the essential In the lectures on Culture we discussed the essential

“sharedness” at the heart of talk. “sharedness” at the heart of talk.

(1) (1) Common perspectivesCommon perspectives – ways of seeing – regarding – ways of seeing – regarding

what’s real; what’s good or bad; what’s real; what’s good or bad;

(2(2) Shared repertoires) Shared repertoires of meanings for words and gestures; of meanings for words and gestures;

(3) Shared (3) Shared schemaschema – outlines of attributes for people and – outlines of attributes for people and

behavioral and emotional scripts for situations – so we behavioral and emotional scripts for situations – so we know what they mean and how to act (or speak) we we are know what they mean and how to act (or speak) we we are in them in them

Questions: How do we learn all this and call it up instantly Questions: How do we learn all this and call it up instantly when we need it - everydaywhen we need it - everyday

Always LearningAlways Learning We have always needed to knowWe have always needed to know

What’s going on and,What’s going on and, What’s going to happen next. What’s going to happen next.

In the womb, our body-mind silently answered these questions as it In the womb, our body-mind silently answered these questions as it grew. grew.

the information was built into the bio-chemical exchanges that went on in the information was built into the bio-chemical exchanges that went on in the blood flowthe blood flow

So, life was good and then we got born!So, life was good and then we got born! The cord was cut, we were on our own with a collection of face, body and The cord was cut, we were on our own with a collection of face, body and

vocal gestures that didn't seem like much on the surface… vocal gestures that didn't seem like much on the surface… But …the body mind…the Cognitive Unconscious - was But …the body mind…the Cognitive Unconscious - was continuing to answer continuing to answer

the key questions of lifethe key questions of life for us for us It was paying attention to It was paying attention to incoming stimuliincoming stimuli and how they affect our body…and developing and how they affect our body…and developing

a set of connections between our a set of connections between our external efforts and our internal statesexternal efforts and our internal states so we could so we could survivesurvive and grow. and grow.

We’ve already explain the development of nerual networks-schema.We’ve already explain the development of nerual networks-schema.

We simply don’t We simply don’t consciouslyconsciously recognize this. Conscious is based recognize this. Conscious is based on words This is learning that starts before we can talk – and on words This is learning that starts before we can talk – and goes on in a part of the mind where there are no words goes on in a part of the mind where there are no words

It’s Not Words: It’s It’s Not Words: It’s Information ProcessingInformation Processing

As individuals, once we acquire language we think conscious As individuals, once we acquire language we think conscious thought does everything. But it doesn’t.thought does everything. But it doesn’t.

As a society, we used to think that thinking made us human - no As a society, we used to think that thinking made us human - no words, no mental processing - wrong. words, no mental processing - wrong.

Changed our mind about the mind – not a word storage place Changed our mind about the mind – not a word storage place but a computer - an info processorbut a computer - an info processor

We now know the mind processes We now know the mind processes 11 million11 million bits of information bits of information per second.. per second..

The conscious mind process only about The conscious mind process only about 40 bits40 bits per second. per second. In his book, In his book, Strangers to OurselvesStrangers to Ourselves, Tim Wilson asks the obvious , Tim Wilson asks the obvious

question, “so where did the other 10 million 999 thousand 960 question, “so where did the other 10 million 999 thousand 960 bits go?” bits go?”

All that information enters the mind below the level of All that information enters the mind below the level of consciousness into a place without words - the neural netwoks consciousness into a place without words - the neural netwoks of the unconscious mindof the unconscious mind

We Have Two MindsWe Have Two Minds

Conscious Mind

Cognitive Unconscious Mind

Adaptive (Cognitive) unconscious Adaptive (Cognitive) unconscious older, in evolutionary terms, than older, in evolutionary terms, than

consciousnessconsciousness Consciousness Consciousness

more recent acquisition than non-more recent acquisition than non-conscious processingconscious processing

Each have different functionsEach have different functions

We Have Two MindsWe Have Two Minds

The Conscious MindThe Conscious Mind Works best when there isWorks best when there is

Enough time, Enough time, Not too much data and.Not too much data and. The decision matters to us – we have to be motivated to do the work.The decision matters to us – we have to be motivated to do the work.

Rational thought and problem-solving is work. It’s Rational thought and problem-solving is work. It’s effortfuleffortful, , slowslow, , controllablecontrollable and and flexibleflexible. .

Neuroscientists say the conscious mind is seated in Neuroscientists say the conscious mind is seated in frontal lobesfrontal lobes of the of the cerebral cortex – the cerebral cortex – the lastlast part of the brain to develop - right behind the part of the brain to develop - right behind the forehead.forehead.

That’s the location of the brain's speech, reflective thought, and executive functions.That’s the location of the brain's speech, reflective thought, and executive functions. It works in the “there and then” or “what if” mode.It works in the “there and then” or “what if” mode.

ToTo make time for problem solving work in the repetitious, low demand make time for problem solving work in the repetitious, low demand situations of daily life – the conscious mind shifts a good deal of the situations of daily life – the conscious mind shifts a good deal of the “here and now” thinking – some pretty high‑level, sophisticated stuff - “here and now” thinking – some pretty high‑level, sophisticated stuff - to the other mind - to the other mind - the cognitive unconscious.the cognitive unconscious.

The Conscious MindThe Conscious Mind Now the conscious mindNow the conscious mind can can work in the “here and now” - work in the “here and now” - 1. If we choose to focus for a while. Like studying for the exam.1. If we choose to focus for a while. Like studying for the exam. 2. If it is focused by a dramatic turn of events - in an emergency for 2. If it is focused by a dramatic turn of events - in an emergency for

instance. instance. But it works best in this kind of situation when it’s repeatedly But it works best in this kind of situation when it’s repeatedly

trained with routines and protocols for handling emergencies trained with routines and protocols for handling emergencies before they actually happen. before they actually happen.

When an airline suddenly completely loses power during its ascent When an airline suddenly completely loses power during its ascent after takeoff. The pilot has about a minute to successfully land the after takeoff. The pilot has about a minute to successfully land the plane . He instantly has to call up his training - all those hours in the plane . He instantly has to call up his training - all those hours in the simulator to help him through but his thinking had to be very flexible simulator to help him through but his thinking had to be very flexible and extremely quick in this situation - changing by the second. and extremely quick in this situation - changing by the second. These are not optimal conditions for conscious mind. These are not optimal conditions for conscious mind.

Too much data, too much going on and to really make effective Too much data, too much going on and to really make effective decisions - not enough time. He has to sense the feel of the aircraft decisions - not enough time. He has to sense the feel of the aircraft and the changing feel of the situation. He had to respond quickly, and the changing feel of the situation. He had to respond quickly, without much reflection. He calls on the other mind - the second without much reflection. He calls on the other mind - the second mind - the cognitive unconscious - to help him save the day.mind - the cognitive unconscious - to help him save the day.

The Other Mind At WorkThe Other Mind At Work This was Capt. S. Sullenberger’s description after he successfully crash landed his This was Capt. S. Sullenberger’s description after he successfully crash landed his

Airbus 320 in New York’s Hudson River on Jan. 15, 2009, after a double bird strike cut Airbus 320 in New York’s Hudson River on Jan. 15, 2009, after a double bird strike cut off both engines.off both engines.

His unthinking skill saved all on boardHis unthinking skill saved all on board

The Adaptive (Cognitive) The Adaptive (Cognitive) UnconsciousUnconsciousThe Adaptive (Cognitive) The Adaptive (Cognitive) UnconsciousUnconscious

It works in completely different ways than the conscious mind. It works in completely different ways than the conscious mind.

Its automatic, its fast, it works effortlessly and is rigid. It “sees and Its automatic, its fast, it works effortlessly and is rigid. It “sees and

acts.” No creative reflection here just pattern detection and action. acts.” No creative reflection here just pattern detection and action.

It works in the here and now and, unlike your conscious brain, it’s It works in the here and now and, unlike your conscious brain, it’s

always paying attention –always on. always paying attention –always on.

Every waking second as we grow, the cognitive unconscious is Every waking second as we grow, the cognitive unconscious is processing incoming data, looking for patterns in the information processing incoming data, looking for patterns in the information flows from the rest of our bodies or from the environment around us flows from the rest of our bodies or from the environment around us and remembering them. and remembering them.

How does it remember? It adds emotional markers to them. Called How does it remember? It adds emotional markers to them. Called “somatic” markers - changes in the body caused by little nano-surges “somatic” markers - changes in the body caused by little nano-surges of positive or negative energy creating what are called non-conscious of positive or negative energy creating what are called non-conscious preferences – it uses these to talk to the conscious mind through the preferences – it uses these to talk to the conscious mind through the body.body.

The core of it is in the mid-brain, the limbic system of the brain.The core of it is in the mid-brain, the limbic system of the brain. It stores these deep emotional memories. It stores these deep emotional memories. It’s the “always on” It’s the “always on” sampling and matchingsampling and matching - part of the Adaptive - part of the Adaptive

(cognitive) Unconscious(cognitive) Unconscious Constantly dipping into the stream of incoming info and Constantly dipping into the stream of incoming info and comparing comparing

“thin slices” of these huge inputs to our established non-conscious “thin slices” of these huge inputs to our established non-conscious preferences.preferences.

We first learned about non-conscious preferences, and how easily We first learned about non-conscious preferences, and how easily they could be developed in the research of Robert Zajonc – early they could be developed in the research of Robert Zajonc – early 1980’s.1980’s.

He had people watch a list of items go by open a small screen, items that had no He had people watch a list of items go by open a small screen, items that had no meaning for them – nonsense syllables or elements of the Chinese alphabet, a list of 30 meaning for them – nonsense syllables or elements of the Chinese alphabet, a list of 30 of them. He didn't tell the participants that each of them was actually paired with a of them. He didn't tell the participants that each of them was actually paired with a happy face or a sad face that flashed at the same time but so quickly the conscious happy face or a sad face that flashed at the same time but so quickly the conscious mind could not register it.mind could not register it.

At the end he simply asked people what syllables or ideograms they preferred, they At the end he simply asked people what syllables or ideograms they preferred, they were easily able to do so. They listed the ones with the happy faces. They had created were easily able to do so. They listed the ones with the happy faces. They had created instantaneous non-conscious preferences.instantaneous non-conscious preferences.

With brain scanning we can now see visual system “look” at the subliminal flashes that With brain scanning we can now see visual system “look” at the subliminal flashes that the conscious mind can’t seethe conscious mind can’t see


Stores our deeply learned neural networks – our schema – Stores our deeply learned neural networks – our schema – for people and behavior - patterns of visual and oral cues for people and behavior - patterns of visual and oral cues that trigger predictions of future action for “what's going to that trigger predictions of future action for “what's going to happen next?” happen next?”

It permits us to enact a necessary human attribute – A It permits us to enact a necessary human attribute – A “Theory of Mind” - automatic mind reading, anticipation of “Theory of Mind” - automatic mind reading, anticipation of what another is going through or is intending to do. what another is going through or is intending to do.

Again each pattern comes with preferential surges of Again each pattern comes with preferential surges of positive or negative emotional energy attached to it. These positive or negative emotional energy attached to it. These act as non-verbal messages – somatic signs - to our act as non-verbal messages – somatic signs - to our conscious mind - to take action when needed.conscious mind - to take action when needed.

This permits us to interact with others smoothly – without This permits us to interact with others smoothly – without hesitation - since we don’t have to consciously think about hesitation - since we don’t have to consciously think about what we’re going to do next.what we’re going to do next.


Real Life ExampleReal Life Example In 2008, Alex Pentland and his colleagues at MIT published an In 2008, Alex Pentland and his colleagues at MIT published an

overview of their research -overview of their research -

Using a very small device – about the size of a credit card – Using a very small device – about the size of a credit card – that is worn like an ID badge – called a sociometer - to that is worn like an ID badge – called a sociometer - to continuously measure various continuously measure various nonverbalnonverbal aspects of people's aspects of people's interactions interactions

He calls them He calls them honest signalshonest signals: They happen quickly – in : They happen quickly – in milliseconds – they’re hard to fake and they tell the mind milliseconds – they’re hard to fake and they tell the mind something important about whether an emerging relationship something important about whether an emerging relationship will end momentarily or continue. will end momentarily or continue.

As an observer, As an observer, consciously perceivingconsciously perceiving the subtle variations in the subtle variations in behavior that mark immediate states of interest in a behavior that mark immediate states of interest in a relationship would be a difficult task at best, but it’s relationship would be a difficult task at best, but it’s impossible to do while participating in the conversation impossible to do while participating in the conversation yourself. yourself.

Real Life ExampleReal Life Example The non-conscious mind does it for you.The non-conscious mind does it for you. Pentland’s sociometer data show us what it notices in the person you are Pentland’s sociometer data show us what it notices in the person you are

talking with:talking with: 1. Activity levels1. Activity levels – small movements in the body; changes in posture – lean – small movements in the body; changes in posture – lean

towards or away; changes in tone of voice (not words); talking starts and stops.towards or away; changes in tone of voice (not words); talking starts and stops. 2. Mimicry2. Mimicry – when people’s movements and speech patterns automatically – when people’s movements and speech patterns automatically

begin to imitate another’s – beginnings of empathy and trust. begin to imitate another’s – beginnings of empathy and trust. There’s been a lot of research in past decade…on pathways in the brain There’s been a lot of research in past decade…on pathways in the brain

called called mirror neuronsmirror neurons. . They are distributed throughout the brain and they trigger off micro They are distributed throughout the brain and they trigger off micro

imitations of other’s behaviors in our bodies at the muscular level.imitations of other’s behaviors in our bodies at the muscular level. It’s how we learn to feel how others feel – the basis of empathyIt’s how we learn to feel how others feel – the basis of empathy

3. Interest and attention3. Interest and attention - If two people are talking together and each one is - If two people are talking together and each one is anticipating when the other will pause and jumping in exactly at that point and anticipating when the other will pause and jumping in exactly at that point and leaving no gaps, then they're paying a great deal of attention to each other. leaving no gaps, then they're paying a great deal of attention to each other.

4. Influence4. Influence – shown by the “extent to which one person causes another to – shown by the “extent to which one person causes another to match their speech patterns.” match their speech patterns.”

Real Life ExampleReal Life Example This happens every time we meet someone. This happens every time we meet someone.

Sociometers at a speed dating event: Sociometers at a speed dating event: Each man and woman spent 5 min. chatting with 10 Each man and woman spent 5 min. chatting with 10

members of the opposite sex. At the end of every members of the opposite sex. At the end of every encounter, each of them encounter, each of them secretlysecretly wrote down whether or wrote down whether or not they wanted to exchange numbers and handed in a not they wanted to exchange numbers and handed in a form to an organizer. If they form to an organizer. If they bothboth said yes, organizers said yes, organizers passed on numbers at the end of the night. passed on numbers at the end of the night.

The common assumption is that men will say yes to almost anyone The common assumption is that men will say yes to almost anyone whereas women are far more selective. This turns out to be whereas women are far more selective. This turns out to be wrong.wrong.

Men only said yes to women thatMen only said yes to women that they somehow knew they somehow knew were also were also going to say yes. going to say yes.

The sociometer data patterns predicted 71% of the mutual The sociometer data patterns predicted 71% of the mutual exchanges (far better than the 20% achieved by guessing).exchanges (far better than the 20% achieved by guessing).

Since the women’s responses were a secret until the end of Since the women’s responses were a secret until the end of the night…how could the men know after only 5 minutes?the night…how could the men know after only 5 minutes?

Real Life ExampleReal Life Example The men picked up on what Pentland calls women’s The men picked up on what Pentland calls women’s

“exploring displays” at the non-conscious level. “exploring displays” at the non-conscious level. When the women had high activity levels (interest and When the women had high activity levels (interest and

excitement) and openness to influence - shown by a strong excitement) and openness to influence - shown by a strong variation in vocal emphasis and rhythm as they variation in vocal emphasis and rhythm as they unconsciouslyunconsciously matched their speech flow to the man’s. matched their speech flow to the man’s.

This pattern accurately predicted the woman’s decision This pattern accurately predicted the woman’s decision about whether or not to trade phone number.about whether or not to trade phone number.

Their conscious decisions may have been kept secret until Their conscious decisions may have been kept secret until the end of the evening, but women’s unconscious signaling the end of the evening, but women’s unconscious signaling had already delivered their decisions loud and clear.had already delivered their decisions loud and clear.

The Adaptive or cognitive unconscious process data so The Adaptive or cognitive unconscious process data so quickly that we just “seem to feel” the interaction – or not!quickly that we just “seem to feel” the interaction – or not!

Next LectureNext Lecture

The Adaptive or Cognitive The Adaptive or Cognitive Unconscious allows us to “feel” Unconscious allows us to “feel” what’s going on and anticipate what’s going on and anticipate “what’s going to happen next? in “what’s going to happen next? in interactioninteraction

Next we’ll review other functions our Next we’ll review other functions our it serves in our communication.it serves in our communication.

COMN 2111 COMN 2111

THE MIND IN THE MIND IN COMMUNICATION:COMMUNICATION:

THE ADAPTIVE (COGNITIVE) THE ADAPTIVE (COGNITIVE) UNCONSCIOUS UNCONSCIOUS

Lecture 5b Lecture 5b

It Provides Instant It Provides Instant People PerceptionPeople Perception

As we said earlier the Adaptive or cognitive unconscious is As we said earlier the Adaptive or cognitive unconscious is “Always On” making assessments of the people we meet“Always On” making assessments of the people we meet

You can see how this works in the flow of a speed dating You can see how this works in the flow of a speed dating momentmoment First time situations – have element of quick, under stress First time situations – have element of quick, under stress

decisions - dealing with new people, - non-conscious mind decisions - dealing with new people, - non-conscious mind “thin slices”“thin slices”

Ambady’s researchAmbady’s research University teacher clips - 10 sec. then 2 sec. clipsUniversity teacher clips - 10 sec. then 2 sec. clips Dr. - patient clip - 40 secs.Dr. - patient clip - 40 secs.

Todorov’s research on “gut reactions” to pictures of Todorov’s research on “gut reactions” to pictures of candidatescandidates

Look of competence…predict winnings in 70% of US senate racesLook of competence…predict winnings in 70% of US senate races Keep this in mind in our lectures on the perception processes Keep this in mind in our lectures on the perception processes

of the conscious mind in communication.of the conscious mind in communication.

Helps Us Make Conscious Helps Us Make Conscious DecisionsDecisions

Anthony Damasio writes a breakthrough book – Anthony Damasio writes a breakthrough book – Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain, Brain, 1994 in which he1994 in which he elegantly assembles historical elegantly assembles historical and contemporary case studies and research on folks and contemporary case studies and research on folks whose neo-cortex - frontal lobes - had been whose neo-cortex - frontal lobes - had been disconnected from the mid-brain by accident or surgical disconnected from the mid-brain by accident or surgical error.error.

Even though they could speak extremely well and their Even though they could speak extremely well and their analytical thought was fully functional their lives fell analytical thought was fully functional their lives fell apart because they couldn’t make the simplest apart because they couldn’t make the simplest decisions.decisions.

Patient gave him the insight – Couldn’t make up his mind Patient gave him the insight – Couldn’t make up his mind about anything but also seemed to have no emotional about anything but also seemed to have no emotional reaction to his terrible situation.reaction to his terrible situation.

Helps Us Make Conscious Helps Us Make Conscious DecisionsDecisions

Damasio’s breakthrough insight was that the Damasio’s breakthrough insight was that the cognitive cognitive unconscious uses its emotional preference patterns to nudge unconscious uses its emotional preference patterns to nudge the conscious mind the conscious mind through the data and the many small through the data and the many small choices that it must make to come to a fully conscious choices that it must make to come to a fully conscious decision. decision.

As we said the cognitive unconscious has no words, so it has As we said the cognitive unconscious has no words, so it has to communicate through the body itself to get the conscious to communicate through the body itself to get the conscious mind’s attention. mind’s attention.

““Gut feelings”, “knowings”, headaches, sweaty palms, Gut feelings”, “knowings”, headaches, sweaty palms, changes of mood – at every choice point – these changes of mood – at every choice point – these somatic somatic markersmarkers - we referred to earlier - appear in the body and give - we referred to earlier - appear in the body and give the conscious mind a sense of which way it should choose to the conscious mind a sense of which way it should choose to go. go.

Since the time of Aristotle we have believed that the Since the time of Aristotle we have believed that the conscious did all the work of deciding…and now we know that conscious did all the work of deciding…and now we know that without the support of the Cognitive Unconscious we simply without the support of the Cognitive Unconscious we simply can’t make decisions at all. can’t make decisions at all.

Downside: Automatic Downside: Automatic ThinkingThinking We are effort-minimizers - use auto thought

Adopt simplest and least effortful strategy

It provides us short cuts - Simple heuristics (learning tools):

Accessibility: ease with which something comes to mind

Representativeness: How Similar Is A To B

Taking Things At Face Value: If you believe info is valid

As long as our decision satisfies the minimal contextual requirements

Keep this in mind in the upcoming lectures on cognition.

Particularly when our view of reality is confronted, our unconscious mind compels us to ignore the “reality” of the current situation and think/speak only in judgment about the situation (from the top of the inference ladder)

Can Act Instantly in Can Act Instantly in Difficult SitutionsDifficult Situtions

The Cognitive Unconscious can move the body without talk The Cognitive Unconscious can move the body without talk - but, if necessary, can find indirect ways of communicating - but, if necessary, can find indirect ways of communicating with the conscious mind to get through with the conscious mind to get through three kinds of three kinds of situationssituations.. No threatNo threat situation, medium situation, medium threat threat situation and situation and high high

threatthreat situations. Let me just give you a quick example situations. Let me just give you a quick example of each of these. of each of these.

No threatNo threat – – It works with your conscious mindIt works with your conscious mind.. Who’s driving the car?Who’s driving the car?

High threatHigh threat perceived - no choice – perceived - no choice – the Unconscious the Unconscious takes over from your conscious mind takes over from your conscious mind - for direct - for direct action…action… the oncoming car situation.the oncoming car situation.

Can Act Persistently in Can Act Persistently in Medium Threat Medium Threat

SituationsSituations Medium-levelMedium-level threat situations – The Cognitive Unconscious let’s threat situations – The Cognitive Unconscious let’s

you know indirectly what’s going on.you know indirectly what’s going on. Iowa gambling gameIowa gambling game

Two decks of cards - red and blue.Two decks of cards - red and blue. You turnover cards - get payoffs - make $.You turnover cards - get payoffs - make $. Red decks are dangerous - big payoffs at first but then big losses.Red decks are dangerous - big payoffs at first but then big losses. Blue decks are safer. They generate steady smaller payoffs but also Blue decks are safer. They generate steady smaller payoffs but also

smaller losses.smaller losses.

After 50 cards folks get hunch about red deck problem, but can’t explain After 50 cards folks get hunch about red deck problem, but can’t explain why – when asked by the researcher.why – when asked by the researcher.

At 80 cards they can explain it. Explicit or conscious learning has occurred.At 80 cards they can explain it. Explicit or conscious learning has occurred.

Can Act Persistently in Can Act Persistently in Medium Threat SitutionsMedium Threat Situtions Thoughts and decisions bubble up from our

unconscious Thin slicing - snap judgments- very quick But body sends messages through body Headaches, sweaty palms, back pain, ringing in the ears,

“knowings”, “gut feelings” The researchers measured the sweat-on-the-skin - The researchers measured the sweat-on-the-skin -

responses to stress. responses to stress. This “galvanic skin response” rises dramatically by the This “galvanic skin response” rises dramatically by the

10th card – the unconscious - knows the danger in the 10th card – the unconscious - knows the danger in the red deck when it sees it. red deck when it sees it.

Without speech it can’t tell the conscious mind what to Without speech it can’t tell the conscious mind what to do, so instead it creates hesitations. Without realizing it do, so instead it creates hesitations. Without realizing it players did begin to pick gradually fewer red cards from players did begin to pick gradually fewer red cards from the 10the 10thth card on, even though by 50 cards, they still card on, even though by 50 cards, they still couldn’t explain what was going on. couldn’t explain what was going on.

Unconscious Affects Our Unconscious Affects Our TalkTalk

Positive EffectsPositive Effects

We simply couldn’t talk effectively without its We simply couldn’t talk effectively without its speed, automaticityspeed, automaticity. .

Deep learning of:Deep learning of: The language and of the order of words - The language and of the order of words -

syntax.syntax. Conversational schemas: what we should Conversational schemas: what we should

do first, next.do first, next. Which allows us to talk fluently – to Which allows us to talk fluently – to

automatically invoke the “normal automatically invoke the “normal conversation” schema we discussed in the conversation” schema we discussed in the lecture on culture.lecture on culture.


Positive EffectsPositive Effects And without the instantly invoked And without the instantly invoked patternspatterns of people of people

and their talk, that is:and their talk, that is: Stereotypical schema of others’ performance, Stereotypical schema of others’ performance,

including their nonverbal emotional displays and of including their nonverbal emotional displays and of situations – where and when are we talking:situations – where and when are we talking:

We couldn’t display our We couldn’t display our theory of mind, theory of mind, that isthat is,, Uncover word meanings with little hesitation.Uncover word meanings with little hesitation. Read the meaning of the others’ nonverbal Read the meaning of the others’ nonverbal

displays as the words are being spoken.displays as the words are being spoken. This high speed processing of conversational flow This high speed processing of conversational flow

allows us to know “what going to happen next.”allows us to know “what going to happen next.”

Our cognitive unconscious helps us to do this very quickly Our cognitive unconscious helps us to do this very quickly and with great certaintyand with great certainty..


Negative effectsNegative effects Let me be very clear, the cognitive unconscious isn’t perfect Let me be very clear, the cognitive unconscious isn’t perfect

and when it goes wrong, it can go very wrong.and when it goes wrong, it can go very wrong. It can suddenly turn against us if the external situation It can suddenly turn against us if the external situation

changes rapidly from positive to negative.changes rapidly from positive to negative. Unlike “first responder” professionals, we are not deeply Unlike “first responder” professionals, we are not deeply

trained to handle difficult situations before they happen.trained to handle difficult situations before they happen. If someone actively disagrees with us, and it comes as a If someone actively disagrees with us, and it comes as a

surprise, or is done in a way that seems to diminish our sense surprise, or is done in a way that seems to diminish our sense of self - the cognitive unconscious reads it as a threat. of self - the cognitive unconscious reads it as a threat.

We said it was rigid - it can’t tell the difference between a We said it was rigid - it can’t tell the difference between a psychological threat to your self-esteem and a physical psychological threat to your self-esteem and a physical threat. threat.

And it’s fast – it’s already “on” before your And it’s fast – it’s already “on” before your conscious mind knows it. conscious mind knows it.


Negative effectsNegative effects The cognitive unconscious is paying attention to the The cognitive unconscious is paying attention to the

changing feelings displayed in the face and body changing feelings displayed in the face and body behavior of your critic - before the words even appear.behavior of your critic - before the words even appear.

It’s already running a “compare and contrast” analysis of It’s already running a “compare and contrast” analysis of emotional expression to anticipate what’s going to emotional expression to anticipate what’s going to happen next. happen next.

Before our conscious mind can react, it’s running its Before our conscious mind can react, it’s running its body-centered threat response body-centered threat response schemaschema – speeding up – speeding up your heart, increasing sweat on the palms, raising the your heart, increasing sweat on the palms, raising the hairs on the forearm, tightening your neck or throat hairs on the forearm, tightening your neck or throat muscles, forcing the blood out of your gut to your limbs – muscles, forcing the blood out of your gut to your limbs – anything to let you know “IT’S COMING”- get ready to anything to let you know “IT’S COMING”- get ready to fight or flee. fight or flee.


I want you to keep all this in mind when we discussion of I want you to keep all this in mind when we discussion of emotions in communication. This is emotions in communication. This is the basis for real basis for real communication catastrophe – an amygdala hi-jack.communication catastrophe – an amygdala hi-jack.

We will cover this in detail in emotion lectures.We will cover this in detail in emotion lectures. After 30 years of research we know more now about the After 30 years of research we know more now about the

brain – and the two minds – than we’ve learned in the brain – and the two minds – than we’ve learned in the previous 3000 years. previous 3000 years.

The conscious and unconscious minds operate in close The conscious and unconscious minds operate in close harmony – can’t do without each – but they can suddenly harmony – can’t do without each – but they can suddenly be “out of balance” – and when that happens our be “out of balance” – and when that happens our communication can go very poorly. Over these next few communication can go very poorly. Over these next few weeks I hope you will learn something how our two weeks I hope you will learn something how our two minds operate and what you can do to maintain their minds operate and what you can do to maintain their delicate balance. delicate balance.

comn 2111 the mind in communication: the adaptive (cognitive) unconscious lecture 5a

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conscious thought

bits of information

nonconscious processingeach

mindsthe conscious mindworks

unconscious mindwe

whats real whats good