Symbol Relations
What is the Symbol Relations Cognitive Function?
Symbol Relations is a higher-order cognitive function that is responsible for understanding and connecting ideas. It is involved in tasks that enable an individual to reason using logic and to connect and process complex relationships and concepts simultaneously. The Symbol Relations cognitive function is necessary to understand the world, oneself, and others. As such, it is involved in processing concepts across all academic disciplines, understanding and quickly grasping what is read and heard, gaining insight, logical reasoning, seeing connections between ideas, cause and effect processing, the flexibility of thought, making rational and considered decisions, deep semantic grasp of language and mathematical reasoning.
What are the benefits of strengthening our Symbols Relations cognitive capacity?
Strengthening one’s Symbol Relations cognitive capacity leads to a more powerful and positive ability to understand, participate in and contribute to the world.
Norman Doidge, author of ‘The Brain That Changes Itself’ comments on the benefits of the Symbol Relations cognitive exercise:
“The fact that Arrowsmith trains the brain processors that make possible reasoning and rationality, is arguably one of the most important positive developments one could imagine for our world, with its complex problems.”
Research studies show that working on the Symbol Relations cognitive exercise in Arrowsmith's Cognitive Intensive Program leads to functional changes in the brain as well as significant improvements in a series of cognitive functions critical for learning as measured on the Woodcock-Johnson IV Cognitive Assessment:
Fluid Reasoning
Working Memory
Cognitive Processing
Number Facility
Perceptual Speed
Cognitive Efficiency
Oral Vocabulary
Visual Auditory Learning
How can improving the Symbol Relations cognitive function help in everyday life?
Parents and students report significant real-world improvements in the following areas.
Comprehension & Understanding
Understands information and grasps concepts more quickly
Understands jokes, puns, and is more quick-witted
Improved cause-effect reasoning
More accurate grasp of the nuances of a situation
Discerns what is relevant in a situation
Greater comprehension of material read, heard, or observed
Improved school performance
Improved workplace performance
Communication
Improved oral communication
More present in conversations demonstrating greater understanding of what is being discussed
More curious, asking questions, and has a greater interest in learning
Asks questions relevant and appropriate to the situation
Improvement in use of language and vocabulary
More articulate and better able to explain ideas or thoughts
Emotional Intelligence/Engagement/Social Awareness
Greater understanding and expression of emotions
More reflective in challenging situations
Increased understanding of the consequences of behaviour
Able to better understand social situations
More responsible
Demonstrates an increased ability to take control of one’s life