Distributed cognition theory shows how our thinking naturally extends into our external tools, environments, and interactions. This connection happens in three dimensions: material, social, and temporal.
Why it's easier to remember something if you write it down? Why it's easier to solve a tough problem after talking it over with someone else?
These experiences illustrate Distributed Cognition (DC), a theory that expands the concept of thinking beyond the brain.
According to DC, our minds aren't confined to internal mental processes. Instead, cognition naturally spreads outward into external tools, collaborative interactions, and cultural practices.
For example, early sailors navigating oceans didn't just rely on memory. Instead, they integrated their thinking with external aids, such as maps, compasses, and teamwork, to turn navigation into a collective, externalized cognitive process.
Moreover, Distributed Cognition happens in three key dimensions:
- Material distribution: We utilize external tools (such as calculators, computers, or even simple notepads) to handle tasks that our brains alone would find overwhelming.
- Social distribution: We collaborate, sharing ideas and creating joint solutions that surpass what individuals achieve alone.
- Temporal distribution: We leverage accumulated knowledge and cultural traditions stored externally, enabling us to learn from past generations.
Together, these dimensions illustrate how our intelligence naturally functions by interacting with external resources.