Discourse gist: A window into the brain's complex cognitive capacity. (October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chapman, Sandra Bond; Mudar, Raksha Anand
• Editors: van Dijk, Teun A
• Is Part Of: Discourse studies. Volume 15:Number 5(2013)
• Page Start: 519
• Page End: 533
• Publication Date: 2013-10
• Subjects: Cognitive brain health -- gist -- gist reasoning training; Discourse analysis -- Periodicals; 401.405
• DOI: 10.1177/1461445613501444
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-4456

Abstract

Discourse, in general, and gist reasoning specifically, are valuable tools to explore cognitive brain health across the life span. Gist reasoning is a higher-order cognitive function that entails a constructive/integrative process in which explicit content of the stimuli is combined with personal knowledge to generate meaning that is transformed and personally salient. In this article, we discuss gist reasoning ability as a marker of cognitive brain health and its potential in differentiating normal cognitive brain health from brain diseases. We highlight the benefits of gist reasoning training as an approach to strengthening cognitive health across the life span.