You Are Not So Smart 169 - Art
Dec 15, 2019
Moira Dillon, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at NYU, dives into how our physical world shapes our abstract thinking. She discusses fascinating links between cognitive development and artistic expression, revealing how children prioritize objects in their drawings. The conversation also explores the evolution of perspective in art, the cognitive challenges of portraying 3D experiences, and how mathematical training enhances learning in children. Dillon emphasizes the intertwined nature of cognition, communication, and cultural influences in understanding art.
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Understanding Abstract Thought
- Abstract thought is the ability to conceive of things beyond direct perception, such as infinitely small points.
- Humans build complex, abstract thought on physical intuitions inherited through evolution.
Kids Draw Objects Over Walls
- Moira Dillon conducted an experiment with four-year-olds drawing a fort with walls and objects to see what spatial information they depict.
- Children tend to draw objects rather than walls because walls are used automatically for navigation, not for explicit communication.
Best Math Training Combines Both
- Combined training using both intuitive and symbolic math content yields better long-term improvement in children's numerical skills.
- Purely symbolic or purely intuitive training alone is less effective for sustained math skill development.