Your Guide to Understanding Cognitive Functions

Let’s focus on 10 key cognitive functions:

1 -  Motor Symbol Sequencing

The Motor Symbol Sequencing cognitive function underlies our ability to learn and produce motor plans in writing, reading and speech, making it critical to tasks such as writing, typing, reading quickly and accurately, copying material down when writing, as well as verbal communication.  A strength in this cognitive function allows the smooth flow of words from one’s mind onto the page.

You can read more on our Motor Symbol Sequencing page. 

2 - Symbol Relations

The Symbol Relations cognitive function is critical for  understanding the relationship between multiple ideas or concepts. This cognitive function is important in tasks that involve reasoning, grasping concepts, comprehending what we read and hear, understanding jokes, mathematical reasoning, and understanding why things happen. Individuals with a strong Symbol Relations cognitive function often experience higher levels of academic achievement and are successful in making logical arguments to support their position. 

You can read more on our Symbol Relations page. 

3 - Memory for Information and Instructions 

Memory for Information and Instructions determines our ability to remember chunks of unrelated auditory information, allowing us to recall facts and sets of  instructions we hear. Those with strong Memory for Information and Instructions often have high levels of general knowledge and a greater ability to retain information of all types. 

You can read more on our Memory for Information and Instructions page. 

4 - Predicative Speech

Predicative Speech is a critical function when it comes to seeing how words and numbers interconnect sequentially into fluent sentences and procedures. This is an important function when it comes to language and communication, allowing us to convey our thoughts, intentions and expectations to others.Those with  a strong Predicative Speech cognitive function are able to use language well to communicate.

You can read more on our Predicative Speech page. 

5 - Broca’s Speech Pronunciation

The Broca’s Speech cognitive function shapes our ability to learn how to pronounce syllables and then integrate them into correctly pronouncing words. This is essential when it comes to learning how to read and spell, as well as for effective communication and the ability for us to express our ideas and information orally. An individual who can easily translate their thoughts into spoken language has a strength in this cognitive function.

You can read more on our Broca’s Speech Pronunciation page. 

6 - Symbolic Thinking

The Symbolic Thinking cognitive function provides the ability to develop and maintain plans and strategies through language, allowing us to problem solve, set goals and focus our attention on what’s needed to attain our goals. This cognitive function is crucial in our ability to execute tasks and maintain attention on the task at hand until a solution is found. Someone with a strength in this cognitive function has mental initiative and is a good strategist.

You can read more on our Symbolic Thinking page. 

7 - Symbol Recognition

The Symbol Recognition cognitive function underlies our ability to visually identify and remember symbols, including letters, words and numbers. This makes it crucial for academic skill development in reading, writing and math. Symbol recognition helps us remember letter and number patterns so that when we see them again we can recall and compare these sequences to what is stored in our memory. A strength in this cognitive function is seen in those who are fluent and accurate readers. 

You can read more on our Symbol Recognition page. 

8 - Lexical Memory

The Lexical Memory cognitive function gives us the ability to remember several unrelated words, helping us to store and organize a vast network of words and retrieve them quickly when needed. This is critical for language development, reading comprehension and effective communication (both written and verbal). A strong vocabulary is a sign of strength in this area. 

You can read more on our Lexical Memory page. 

9 - Non-Verbal Thinking

The Non-Verbal Thinking cognitive function refers to our ability to accurately perceive and interpret non-verbal information, such as body language, hand gestures, voice tone,  and facial expressions. This is highly important in our ability to read social cues, better navigate social situations and understand one’s own emotions. A good negotiator will have strength in this area.

You can read more on our Non-Verbal Thinking page. 

10 - Quantification Sense

The Quantification Sense cognitive function is important when it comes to our ability to have a sense of number and quantity. This makes strong functioning crucial for our ability to understand and manipulate numerical concepts - such as quantity, magnitude and measurement, as well as to understand numbers related to time, distance and money. An individual who is good at budgeting and time scheduling will have a strength in this cognitive function.

You can read more on our Quantification Sense page.

In fact, different people have almost infinitely different combinations of capacity across different cognitive functions, with various strengths and difficulties that shape how they interact with the world around them.  

This makeup of cognitive functions is known as our unique cognitive profile, and it makes us who we are. 

This cognitive profile shapes how we see ourselves, it helps us form how we see others and how others see us, and it dictates how we perform in specific situations. This cognitive profile is who we are, and is the reason behind what we do and how we feel. 

Here’s how our cognitive functions impact us in a few key areas of our lives:

Education and Learning: Cognitive functions underlie both academic and social skills, helping individuals in an educational setting to develop critical life skills such as collaboration, communication and critical thinking and to acquire essential academic skills in literacy and numeracy. A strong cognitive capacity is essential to success in an academic setting, and future success long after. A students’ unique cognitive profile typically is understood as a behavioural characteristic: think of students who are labelled as responsible, diligent and capable, or lazy, unmotivated, oppositional  - underlying any of these behaviours are specific cognitive functions. 

Everyday Activities: We use our brains for everything we do in our lives, making strong cognitive functioning critical to everyday activities such as decision-making, learning, problem-solving, and  finding our way from one location to another. Our cognitive capacity allows us to interact with our environment, communicate with those around us and complete everyday tasks with ease. Consider your network of friends, family, neighbours or colleagues. Who are the social butterflies, the loners? Who takes initiative, who lacks ambition? Who leaps into new experiences, who hesitates and hangs back? All are characteristics of their cognitive strengths and weaknesses. 

Social Well-Being: Cognitive capacity is critical when it comes to our social well-being, whether it be picking up on non-verbal cues, communicating with our friends and family effectively, or understanding the relationship between other people’s stories and our emotions (empathy). This domain is typically understood as a quality of personality - a strength or quirk. Indeed, our emotional intelligence and social-emotional wellbeing is highly individualized - and is a manifestation of each person’s unique cognitive makeup. 

Professional Life: Cognitive functions that are critical in the workplace include processes that enable task completion, decision making, efficient problem solving, memory retention, and attention. When we have stronger cognitive capacity, we are more productive, creative and successful in our careers. Studies suggest one’s cognitive capacity has the greatest influence over career success; it’s not because they work harder, it’s because their brains are operating optimally. 

"To understand the brain is to understand oneself."
Sir Francis Crick
Molecular Biologist, Biophysicist, Neuroscientist

Understanding one’s own cognitive profile, as well as others - can offer heightened understanding of how we operate in our world and can contribute to empathy. It can be powerful for individuals, families and professionals to recognize and redefine one’s experiences through a cognitive lens. 

Another important reason to understand the specification of one’s cognitive functioning, is to dissect and demystify struggles in learning which allow for the development of  targeted solutions.. 

Traditionally, when individuals are challenged in learning, they receive a learning disability (or learning difficulty) label, such as ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Memory Retention Difficulties or Executive Functioning Difficulties, among others. 

When these labels are applied, whether the individual is in school or in the workplace, conventional approaches assume these struggles are permanent, so strategies, tools or different material must be made available to the learner or employee. This typically presents as accommodations such a voice-to-text software, or modifications like lower expectations or presenting material in smaller digestible chunks or in different formats (visual vs. auditory). Think of these as ‘workarounds’, working around a weak cognitive function.

To some extent, these workarounds are helpful, even necessary if there’s no other option. However they are limited, can be expensive or unrealistic, and most importantly, they don’t address the issue so they will always be required. 

There is another option to these accommodations and modifications, because the brain can be changed. Learning disabilities don’t have to be permanent, because cognitive functions can be strengthened. 

Science has proven that the brain can change. The capacity of each of specific cognitive function is not a fixed state; just as someone can develop stronger muscles in the gym through targeted exercise, individuals can build stronger brains through targeted cognitive programs

Learning difficulties have been overcome through cognitive training designed to target and strengthen the specific core causes of the learning issues. Assessments can identify these specific cognitive functions, the level at which they are currently functioning, and cognitive exercises can be customized to meet the unique needs of each individual. 

This approach can be applied throughout the school years and throughout our lifetime: individuals can develop cognitive reserves to address cognitive decline that occurs with the aging process. Adults can stay ahead of their professional and personal pursuits through cognitive enhancement. Students and young adults can prepare to thrive in an ever-changing world through developing essential processes such as critical thinking, problem solving, decision-making, collaboration and communication. Those who struggle with learning disabilities and those with mental health issues can transform their cognitive capacity allowing them to better access and benefit from academic and therapeutic programs. Accelerated growth in benefitting from these types of programs, once one’s cognitive profile is strong has been reported. 

Across the many phases of life, understanding how different cognitive functions shape the way in which our world is experienced - and - how we can shape our cognitive functions to experience a different reality - allows for a truly evolved understanding of human potential. 

"Understanding the brain is not just a scientific pursuit; it is the key to unlocking the full spectrum of human experience and potential."
V.S. Ramachandran
Director of the Center for Brain and Cognition, University of California, San Diego

So now that we have insight into the role of cognitive functions in our lives, have begun to explore the specific nature of these essential processes, and understand that research has demonstrated they can be strengthened, how exactly do we go about it? This is where the principles of neuroplasticity come into play. 

Neuroplasticity is simply our brain’s ability to change in response to experience and stimulation over time (our brain’s plasticity). 

The science of neuroplasticity explains our brain’s ability to strengthen existing connections and to form new neural connections throughout our lives in response to training and new experiences. 

By leveraging our brain’s plasticity in a positive direction, cognitive functions can be strengthened, no matter where they are initially on the continuum of capacity. Whether they are under functioning or functioning adequately, enhancing these processes can lead to transformative gains. Structural, functional and behavioural improvements mean that learning and performance can be maximized, and any one can reach their fullest potential. 

The power of neuroplasticity can be harnessed to enhance specific cognitive functions. When these functions are operating optimally, the entire range of their influence is heightened. This means increased performance across tasks, settings, situations, and even within our own emotional well-being. 

Another important qualifier - neuroplasticity is possible throughout one’s lifetime. It is never too late to achieve a stronger cognitive capacity.  

So, how does this work? Let’s take a step back to the body conditioning comment we made in the last section. Just like someone would work out in a gym to gain strength, agility, and endurance in pursuit of a healthy body, it is possible to improve our brain’s functioning through cognitive exercise. Like working out a muscle, specific brain exercises can target and enhance specific cognitive functions. 

Something to keep in mind - the brain is better than a muscle. Unlike our body’s muscles that weaken or even atrophy without active training - once strengthened through cognitive exercise, our cognitive functions remain strong. Used in everyday intellectual activity, they receive their own maintenance simply by continuing to participate in the world. Every moment of learning, communicating, problem solving, socializing, and organizing - one’s now strong cognitive capacity continues to reap the benefits of the initial cognitive training. 

 “If a brain is exercised properly, anyone can grow intelligence, at any age, and potentially by a lot.”
Dr. Michael Merzenich
Professor Emeritus, UCSF, Kavli Laureate in Neuroscience

For more than 40 years Arrowsmith has been using the principles of neuroplasticity, to target and strengthen cognitive functions through specialized programming. From 6 to 90+, participants enhance functions essential to learning and performance, fundamentally changing the way their brains operate.

For anyone looking to enhance their experience in life, a first step might be to prioritize which exercise would give maximum benefit. Arrowsmith’s Cognitive Assessment provides individuals with in-depth insights into their unique cognitive profile and customizes a program of recommended cognitive exercises based on their personalized report. Certainly for those with learning difficulties or learning disabilities, a cognitive assessment is crucial to understand the inconsistencies of their learning experience, and to create a comprehensive solution of cognitive exercises that will address the cause of their struggles at the core.