There is no question that the Internet was the single most impactful technological invention of the past century. Our constant usage of the Internet has fundamentally altered our memory processing and analytical cognition, such that us “Digital Natives” consume knowledge in completely different ways than previous generations (Loh and Kanai, 2016).
The symbiosis of humans and computers is becoming increasingly evident. A study performed by Sparrow, Liu and Wegner (2013) indicated that if someone is aware that information is readily available externally, they will put less effort into internally encoding it. This phenomenon is a type of cognitive offloading, which is the externalization of cognitive processes (Grinschgl, Papenmeier, and Meyerhof, 2021). It has also been aptly nicknamed the Google effect, in reference to the tendency of people to rely on Google or the “E-memory” instead of their own minds (Clowes, 2015; Heersmink, 2016). To most people, this seems logical – in an era of information overload, this could be considered an adaptation to the way information is communicated in modern society. Many scholars have been quick to point out that it has greatly expanded the potential size of our knowledge base, as we are quick to recognize what information is pertinent to know and what can be stored on the web. Nonetheless, drawbacks exist as certain detrimental effects, such as diminishing abilities to read, remember, and concentrate (Heersmink, 2016). Greenfield (2015) posits that this is a result of the fundamental “detached” design of the internet’s memory compared to the integrative properties of biological memory. Computers simply hold discrete piles of information – our brains, conversely, allow us to make connections to previously retained knowledge as we learn.
In theory, the benefits could outweigh the costs: the freed space could allow for the development of novel cognitive processes or for the strengthening of our current analytical and comprehension skills (Heersmink, 2016). However, empirical data has suggested that there is a correlation between high internet usage and reduced memory recall and problem-solving ability (Moritz et al., 2018). At the same time, a statistical data analysis by Grinschgl, Papenmeier, and Meyerhof (2021) demonstrated that, in all circumstances, cognitive offloading had no impairment on long-term memory formation (Figure 1). This is likely why many scholars land on somewhat of a compromise: ease of access to information results in reduced learning efforts, but simultaneously provides additional available cognitive resources for “prioritized operations” (Loh and Kanai, 2016).
Additionally, when arguing the topic of the human memory, it is pertinent to note its infamous inaccuracy. This fact is so important that it may even be argued that a computer memory, of which we can be sure is accurate, provides a stability to the biological memory that is required for our cognitive functions to operate optimally (Heersmink, 2016).
The field of Internet studies in relation to cognitive function is relatively unexplored and highly debated, such that definitive statements about the nature of the Internet’s influence require an unreasonable number of assumptions about human beings. Thus, it is imperative that we continue to investigate and contemplate the implications of a digitized mind.
References
Clowes, R., 2015. Thinking in the Cloud: The Cognitive Incorporation of Cloud-Based Technology. Philosophy & Technology, 28(2), pp.261–296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-014-0153-z.
Greenfield, S., 2015. Mind Change: How Digital Technologies Are Leaving Their Mark on Our Brains. [e-book] Random House Publishing Group. Available at: Google Books <https://www.google.ca/books/edition/Mind_Change/_2iMDQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PR5&printsec=frontcover> [Accessed 15 Jan 2024].
Grinschgl, S., Papenmeier, F. and Meyerhoff, H.S., 2021. Consequences of cognitive offloading: Boosting performance but diminishing memory. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 74(9), pp.1477–1496. https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218211008060.
Heersmink, R., 2016. The Internet, Cognitive Enhancement, and the Values of Cognition. Minds and Machines, 26(4), pp.389–407. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11023-016-9404-3.
Loh, K.K. and Kanai, R., 2016. How Has the Internet Reshaped Human Cognition? The Neuroscientist, 22(5), pp.506–520. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073858415595005.
Moritz, J., Meyerhoff, H.S., Meyer-Dernbecher, C. and Schwan, S., 2018. Representation control increases task efficiency in complex graphical representations. PLOS ONE, 13(4), p.e0196420. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196420.
Sparrow, B., Liu, J. and Wegner, D.M., 2011. Google Effects on Memory: Cognitive Consequences of Having Information at Our Fingertips. Science, 333(6043), pp.776–778. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1207745.
Wadhwa, R.R. and Marappa-Ganeshan, R., 2024. T Test. In: StatPearls. [online] Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553048/> [Accessed 24 January 2024].
Comments
14 Responses to “Bytes and Brains: Exploring Shifts in Human Cognitive Processes in the Internet Age”
Hi iSci!
After we talked about the impact of phones and other devices in the context of social psychology in life science, I wanted to look into why there was such a difference in use of technology between us and previous generations. I incorporated biology and psychology (and a little bit of sociology) into this post. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it – I appreciate all feedback!
Amelie 🙂
Hi Amelie,
This was a really interesting blog post topic and will probably only continue to become more and more relevant as technology advances! I just have a couple of suggestions to help with your editing.
1. Your post would be enhanced if you were to include some kind of figure. It would also help break up the text in your post and make it more appealing for readers to look at!
2. In your third paragraph, I think this sentence would flow better if the however was at the beginning of the sentence. “This data is not all-encompassing, however, and does not represent the general population – in all likelihood, the overlap of people who have lower cognitive ability and those who have high internet usage is likely independent of this phenomenon, and rather is reliant on the personalities of these people.”
3. This same sentence is also quite long with several ands throughout, could you potentially split it up to make it less run-on?
4. I really liked your concluding paragraph but I think the very first sentence is slightly unnecessary and almost spoils your conclusion. It stands on its own quite well without the first sentence.
Overall I think you did a great job with this! I really enjoyed your writing style and I can’t wait to read the final post.
Happy editing,
Lauren
Hi Lauren,
Thank you for your comment! I added a figure and removed the first sentence of my conclusion, which I think did help the flow of my post quite a bit. I actually deleted the sentence you recommended I edit, but your suggestions were still very helpful.
Thanks!
Amelie
Hey Amelie,
This is such an interesting topic to consider! There is definitely a fine balance between the Internet being a great tool, and relying on it. I have a couple of suggestion on how you could improve your post;
– Your second citation should mention that it is in pdf format – I’m assuming thats what it is!
– A figure would be really nice visually so that it isn’t a whole page of words! I understand that that may be difficult for this topic, but perhaps any graphs from the studies you mentioned that show internet usage vs cognitive ability?
– The first sentence of your third paragraph is a bit wordy. I would either shorten it by taking out the hard drive analogy, or by splitting it into two sentences.
Great job again Amelie, I hope my suggestions are helpful, and you also did a great job capitalizing “internet” at the right time! Happy editing!
Hi Maya,
Thank you for your comment! My second citation was actually for an e-book, but I did need to fix it so thank you for pointing that out. I also added a figure and rewrote the first sentence of my third paragraph, which I believe improved the general flow of the post.
Thank you!
Amelie
Hey Amelie!
This was a great blog post! I though the topic was very creative and it was very well written! Some small suggestions:
– In the second paragraph you say, “A study performed by Sparrow, Liu and Wegner (2013) indicated that if someone is aware that information is available externally (i.e. online)…” You should try to limit the use of parentheses whenever possible. Maybe you could say, “.. if someone is aware that information is available externally, such as Google…” instead of (i.e. online)
– In the last paragraph you say the word “requires” and I think it should be changed to require
– I think a figure would be nice, just to break up the text a bit, but I know it may be difficult considering your topic. If you could find something that would be great! Just an idea, but I think it would be interesting to see a brain scan image comparing memory storage of those who rely on the internet compared to those that don’t. I would also be ineteresting to see something from on the studies that you mentioned, if they have anything applicable to the post.
– In the last paragraph, you could replace “superfluous” with “excessive” or another synonym, as I think it sounds a bit better,
Overall, this post was very well done and I hope my suggestions are helpful! Happy editing!
Hi Veronica,
Thanks so much for your comment! I agree that the (i.e. online) is a bit awkward, so I removed the parentheses by saying “readily available externally” which I think retains the idea but is easier to read. Thank you for catching the grammar and the awkward word choice – those have been fixed. I also added a figure from one of the studies I mentioned. I actually also originally wanted to have a brain scan, but was unfortunately unable to find one 🙁
Your critique was very much appreciated.
Thanks!
Amelie
Hi Amelie!
This was a very interesting read, the net effect of the internet as a technology is a widely debated topic and this is an interesting way to view it.
I have a few editing suggestions:
-The sentence “This data is not all-encompassing, however, and does not represent the general population – in all likelihood, the overlap of people who have lower cognitive ability and those who have high internet usage is likely independent of this phenomenon, and rather is reliant on the personalities of these people.” although broken by a dash and commas is still very long.
-The sentence “phenomenon is indicative of our diminishing abilities to read, remember, and concentrate (Heersmink, 2016)” is somewhat unclear to me, is it saying that reliance on the internet is why people are becoming less literate or people are becoming less literate and thus relying on the internet?
-Again in this part “in all likelihood, the overlap of people who have lower cognitive ability and those who have high internet usage is likely independent of this phenomenon, and rather is reliant on the personalities of these people.” You say in all likelihood, this is likely which is redundant and you can remove one of these iterations.
Overall, great post and I look forward to reading the final copy!
Jonah
Hi Jonah,
Thank you for your comments! I actually deleted the sentence about the data not being all-encompassing, though I appreciate your advice on how I could have made that clearer. I also clarified the sentence citing Heersmink such that reliance on the internet is what is making people less literate, thank you for noticing that.
Thanks!
Amelie
Hi Amelie!
This is a wonderfully written blog post, whcih was very engaging and a pleasure to read.
Some things you may want to consider in your editing process:
– consider rephrasing “The human and the computer” to just “humans and computers” to make it less wordy
– the beginning of prargraph 3 is a little hard to follow, consider rephrasing into simpler words/making the ideas more linear. I think its the use of multiple “that” which makes it confusing perhaps.
– for your social psych concept try including more how society influences an individual’s actions, not just how humans act as a society (ex. Academic authorities demand less memorization and more application in the digital era than before)
– perhaps try adding a discipline outside of life sci (ie. math statistical analysis, role of chemistry in memory…?)
Also, I wanted to say that your word choice is phenomenal. You used a sophisticated and professional language, which many people do but you did it with purpose. Any advanced word you used was more specific and elevated your argument.
Good luck with your editing process 🙂
I look forward to reading your final piece!
Caroline
Hi Caroline!
Thank you so much for your comment! I simplified “the human and the computer” and I rewrote the first sentence of paragraph 3 – I think it is much simpler and easier to read now, thank you for noticing that. I have settled on going for more of a developmental psychology than social psychology idea, just because of word count, though I do think it would have been great to have been able to expand into those concepts (500 word limit 🙁 ) and I appreciate you pointing that out. It was a bit difficult to expand more on other disciplines, but I did take your advice and incorporate a statistical analysis from one of the studies I referenced, which I went more into depth about in the caption.
Again, thank you for your advice!
Amelie
Hi Amelie!
This was a super interesting topic, and overall very important to modern life. Some things you may want to consider in the editing process:
– Im not sure if internet is supposed to be capitalized, I found conflicting sourced on the subject, but I’ll leave that to your best judgement
– Potentially add a comma in pgrah 1 sent 2 after “cognition” and before “such”.
– The phrase “internally encoding it” seem slightly verbose, would there be an alternative that still fits the writing style?
– I feel like the final sentences could benefit from semicolons, as the short sentences sort of break the flow established earlier in the paragraph
– In p3 you have “in all likelihood” and “likely” in the same sentences, and then you start the next sentence with “this is likely”, I would recommend trying to find an alternative if possible
Overall, phenomenal job! The context of this post in great, and I really like the different points of view considered. Good look with the editing process, and I look forward to reading the final product!
Gabriele
*Final sentences in paragraph 2, sorry I missed that part of the sentence
Hi Gabriele,
Thank you for your comment! I have settled on capitalizing “Internet” when referring to it as a general concept/idea and thus using it as a proper noun (i.e. the Internet) and not capitalizing it when it is used as a regular noun (like in “high internet usage”). I fixed the grammar issues you mentioned. I agree that “internally encoding it” is a bit verbose, but it is the best term to describe the phenomenon according to the literature so I opted to keep it. I also deleted the last sentence you mentioned, but I appreciate the advice nonetheless.
Thank you again!
Amelie