THE NAÏVE MIND

CORRESPONDING "MIND TOOL"

Social communication

Human language: syntax, reference, and

Expandable vocabulary
   

Numerosity judgments

 Subitizing ability

 

Muller-Lyer illusion (etc.)

Estimation by extent

relative comparisons

subjective frequency

Numbers (VII vs. 7, 0), measures (inches, quarts..)

Computing algorithms (counting, adding, dividing, etc.), Pythagorean right angles

Explicit measurements

Objective records, inventories

mathematics
   

Fragile memory

Oral traditions as history

Mnemonics, grouping of numbers

Self-priming (talk to self!)

Writing, other representations, e.g. maps, diagrams
   

Availability heuristic

Illusory correlation

Representative and base-rate bias

Conjunction fallacy

Correlation coefficient, statistics

Probability theory

Sampling theory

Basic logic

Phenomenal causality

Experimental procedures
   

Wait for instructions/directions

Live in "here and now"

Reflective consciousness and self-direction, mindfulness

Conscious foresight, insight
   

Intuition, implicit theories

Scientific theories, "laws", principles..

"folk psychology"

Scientific psychology
   

I have tried to more or less juxtapose the "naïve" across from its "mindtool" counterpart and cluster together a number of similar topics. Needless to say, this table is only a gross simplification! In addition to the particulars of the individual topics above, there are several general points that deserve discussion including the following.

(1) What we call "intelligence" today may be more an indication of one's ability to use, for whatever reasons, various of these basic "mindtools."

(2) Finally, the boundary between "naïve" and "tool" is vague and indeed may change if "tools" (or increasing probability of their acquisition) become part of the genetic heritage. This perhaps occurred in the evolution of language (Limber, 1982) and other possible instances of the "Baldwin effect" -- where a selective (fitness) advantage accrues to individuals who rapidly acquire a given "tool."

Limber, J. (1982). What can chimps tell us about the origins of language. In S. Kuczaj (Ed.), Language Development: Volume 2 (pp. 429-446). Hillsdale, NJ: L. E. Erlbaum.