During a political season, it seems that all manner of subjects can relate to politics. And so it is with cognition, and in the run-up to a presidential election the question has been asked, what is the political brain and what are its main functions?
A new theory on this topic suggests that there are four major modalities of political cognition – that is, the combined thinking and actions of politicians. There are Directors, Negotiators, Builders, and Explorers. While this theory will have no impact on the election season, it can have an impact on how we instill leadership, decision-making, problem-solving, and other political skills that are important to us all.
The first step is recognizing the areas in which a person excels.
- Is a person effective at directing some set of actions? (Director)
- Can a person negotiate the best possible outcome? (Negotiator)
- Is a person able to conceive of and build something? (Builder)
- Can a person envision other possibilities and explore potential outcomes? (Explorer)
Using the answers to these questions then follows a consideration of how to build these skills in students. Project-based learning is effective – in a group project, students will take upon a Director role and find success doing so. Others may recognize that their group is out of hand, and step in to do the delicate task of the Negotiator. Individual projects are also excellent ways to bring about the Director role because the first person anyone must direct is themselves.
Builders and Explorers are found in the midst of exploratory and creative learning ventures. They are able to brainstorm and daydream, both of which are pure cognitive functions. Independently-guided learning and discovery-based experiences offer students new ways in which to see how to Build or the possibilities for Exploration.
Every four years there will be a new President elected, and that person will contain a well-balanced mix of all these qualities. Every single day, a child has a chance to grow up to be that President and so, ensuring that they receive opportunities to direct something, negotiate something, build something and explore something offers them the building blocks to become a great leader.
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