Basic Psychological Processes

When you make a computer search for the basic psychological processes you will find that there are 4 to 12 theories with differing descriptions for each of them. In college courses we teach our students six to eight of these basic processes. For our series we have chosen eight of them, vis.; (a) perception, (b) attention, (c) motivation, (d) language, (e) thought (thinking), (f) memory, (g) learning, and (h) emotion.

These processes are resources that enable us to deal with our environment and adapt to what is happening to us in our experiences. We know that our behavior is affected by both internal mental processes and by external physical activity.

In this presentation we will look at each process individually. We are aware that each of them is closely related to all of the others. In one sense each of them maintains its own total independence while existing with the others; interacting with and depending on them.

We introduce each of the processes with a dictionary definition and a common comment. In subsequent weeks, sports activities of various kinds will be used to illustrate each of these processes in real sports situations.

Perception Dictionary definition: The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through our senses.

Common Comment: "I can see what you’re getting at."

Our perception gives us a multiple “image” of the reality that surrounds us. We process all the information we receive from our senses by “seeing” them in our minds. Perception helps us organize and give meaning to everything we hear, see, feel, and are aware of. Being aware of all of our physical environment enables us to respond to and interact with it in a positive, learned manner.

Attention Dictionary definition: Notice taken of someone or something; the regarding of someone or something as interesting or important.

Common Comment: "That’s a great idea – let’s do it!"

We live in an environment with all kinds of stimuli and we are forced to choose what to acknowledge and what to ignore. If it didn’t exist, we would find ourselves overwhelmed by stimuli. We choose who we are and what we believe as we are making our choices.

Motivation Dictionary definition: The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.

Common Comment: "Sorry, but I’ve always signed my name this way,"

The function of motivation is to direct our beliefs and action toward our goals and objectives. It prevents us from standing still.

Language Dictionary definition: The principal method of human communication, consisting of words used in a structured and conventional way and conveyed by speech, writing, and gesture.

Common Comment: “Can you tell me more about that and speak in plain English this time?”

We humans are social beings and language in all of its forms is a critical process. It gives us the ability to communicate with each other through spoken, written, motioning forms. Our language is both complex and simplistic which allows us to accurately describe and understand almost anything; in the past, present, or future.

Thought – Thinking

Dictionary definition: An idea or opinion produced by occurring suddenly in the mind - the action or process of thinking.

Common Comment: "It sounds like a good idea – let me sleep on it"

Thinking is a complex process that enables us (hopefully) to give the information arriving through our senses to have meaning. We use our reasoning abilities to choose what is truthful and logical in all of the situations and happenings that are being presented to us.

Memory Dictionary definition: The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information.

Common Comment: "I never forget a face."

Memory allows us to encode information for future storage and retrieval. Memory allows us to remember explicit information such as Paris is the capital of France or procedural information such as how to ride a bike. Memory exists because it is really useful to have information about our past experiences at our disposal. This allows us to make guesses about the future and act on them.

Learning Dictionary definition: Learning is “a process that leads to change, which occurs as a result of experience and increases the potential for improved performance and future learning.” The acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or by being taught.

Common Comment: "I think I’ve got it now.

Learning is “a process that leads to change, which occurs as a result of experience and increases our potential for improved performance and future learning.” It is the acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or by being taught in school, church, family, and by friends. This is how we modify and acquire our knowledge, abilities, skills, behaviors, enabling us to make decisions and deal with the consequences.

Emotion Dictionary definition: A natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.

Common Comment: "I never get mad without having a reason."

Our emotions are our reactions to external stimuli. They allow us to guide our behavior and act quickly in response to what is happening to us. We can have feelings e.g., joy or sadness; we can change our behavior, e, g, fight or flight; and we can experience changes in our body status, e, g, sweating or laughing.