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On the autonomy of mental processes: A case study of arithmetic.

1986; American Psychological Association; Volume: 115; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1037//0096-3445.115.2.118

1939-2222

N. Jane Zbrodoff, Gordon D. Logan,

Mathematics Education and Teaching Techniques

We define a process as autonomous (a) if it can begin without intention, and (b) if it can run on to completion without intention.We develop empirical criteria for determining whether a process can begin without intention, for determining whether it begins in the same way without intention as it does with intention, and for determining whether it can run on to completion without intention once it begins.We apply these criteria to assess the autonomy of the processes underlying simple mental arithmetic-the addition and multiplication of single digits-and find evidence that simple arithmetic may be only partially autonomous: It can begin without intention, but does not begin in the same way without intention as with intention and does not run on to completion without intention.This conclusion suggests there may be a continuum of autonomy, ranging from completely autonomous to completely nonautonomous.Introspection suggests that some processes may be autonomous in that they begin without intention whenever a relevant stimulus appears and run on to completion ballistically, despite our best efforts to inhibit them.The purpose of this article is to explore the concept of autonomous processing, relating it to current ideas about automaticity and modularity.We develop criteria for determining the extent to which a process is autonomous, and we use the criteria to assess the autonomy of the processes underlying simple mental arithmetic-the addition and multiplication of single digits.Our results address some aspects of current controversies in arithmetic and automaticity, and we suggest some resolutions. Concept of Autonomy Autonomy and IntentionalityThe concept of autonomy is linked to the concept of intentionality, so we define a process as intentional if it is executed as part of a plan for achieving a goal (see Dennett, 1978;Reason & Myceilska, 1982;Shaffer, 1976).We define a process as autonomous if it can (a) begin without intention, triggered by the presence of a relevant stimulus in the task environment, and (b) run on to completion ballistically once it begins, whether or not it is intended.We do not assume that intentional processing and autonomous processing are mutually exclusive.For example, the autonomous processes underlying skilled typing can be recruited intentionally