Writing by typing versus by hand produces different types of writing due to several cognitive and physical factors that influence the writing process. These differences can impact the writer's engagement, the flow of ideas, and the overall quality of the written output. These two methods lead to different writing experiences and results. The method of writing—whether by typing or by hand—can significantly influence the writing process and the resultant text
Cognitive Engagement and Memory Recall
- Handwriting engages the brain in a more comprehensive way, involving more complex motor skills and sensory experiences. This engagement is believed to enhance memory recall and the generation of ideas, possibly because the act of forming letters by hand reinforces the learning process.
- Typing, while faster, tends to be more automatic and less personalized. The ease and speed of typing can lead to less deliberation over words and phrases, potentially affecting the depth of processing and memory encoding.
Pace and Thoughtfulness
- The slower pace of handwriting can lead to more thoughtful expression, as the physical act of writing by hand slows down the process, allowing more time for reflection and consideration of ideas as they are put to paper.
- Typing allows for faster transcription of thoughts, which can be beneficial for capturing ideas quickly or keeping up with spoken words in real-time. However, this speed may reduce the writer's opportunity to reflect on and refine their ideas during the writing process.
Editing and Revision Processes
- When writing by hand, the effort involved in making corrections or revisions can encourage more careful composition and structure from the outset. Handwritten drafts often undergo fewer revisions due to the physical effort required to rewrite or amend the text.
- Typing makes editing and revising text much easier and more efficient, encouraging writers to experiment with different phrasings and structures. While this can enhance the quality of the final piece, it may also lead to less initial planning and organization.
Physical Sensations and Psychological Effects
- The physical sensations of handwriting, including the feel of the paper and the pen or pencil, can create a more intimate and personal connection to the writing process, potentially influencing the tone and style of the writing.
- Typing offers a more detached physical experience, which can affect how writers perceive their connection to the text. The lack of tactile feedback may influence the writer's emotional engagement with the content.
Distraction Levels
- Handwriting typically involves fewer distractions, as it generally requires only a pen and paper, helping writers maintain focus on their thoughts and the writing process.
- Typing on digital devices exposes writers to potential distractions, such as notifications, other applications, and the temptation to multitask, which can disrupt the flow of writing and lead to fragmented thoughts.
Accessibility and Portability
- Handwriting can be done anywhere and anytime without the need for technology, potentially encouraging more spontaneous and personal reflections.
- Typing requires access to a device, which, despite being highly portable in the case of laptops and tablets, might not always be as immediately accessible as pen and paper.
There was a lot of research proving that writing stimulates a great deal the brain. I cannot give you a bibliography because to me it was obvious, no need to demonstrate. Also, today, typing means usually smartphone and things like that. It is easy to see the young people IQ falling down rapidly. However, typing is very useful in the field of the special needseducation and therapy, where, for different reasons, the child/adult is not able to write.
Hi Magdalena Dumitrana there´s something to be said that repetition of the muscles seems to support and reinforce cognition. But within the conventional disciplines, such of Cognitive Science, which focuses solely on the brain´s capacity to encode and decode information. the phsyical aspects such as handwriting and typing are overlooked, as obvious as it is to one´s common sense.
Btw, I think there´s difference between typing on a screen versus a keyboard. There´s no doubt a degredation in our ability to spell or to recall can degenerate through a lack of practice in writing and typing on keyboards.
Tieu-Tieu Le Phung I DID NOT refer to muscles, but to brain stimulation. If a person has no hands, you think that cannot read and write? I wanted to tell that the written language, that is, reading and writing, has different areas on the brain which are not stimulated by typing. People who have learned firstly the handwriting and then moved to computers, usually moved back again. They all said that there is another kind of thinking when they used the pencil. I am one of them. However when one's job needs mainly to use symbols, perhaps typing directly, not using handwriting is more efficient. But the loss in this situation is terrible- emotions, humanity, empathy, are just words to them. I've met some situations like that.
Magdalena Dumitrana I agree with you that writing by hand produces different thinking. Sure it does come from brain stimulation. What I would to emphasis is mind body connection. And therein lies my critique of Cognitive Science.
Tieu-Tieu Le Phung, to me, the cognitivism does not even exist. It is just a globalist attack against the Knowledge, as it is also the "multiple intelligences" theory. Together with some other activities. I would say, it is not worthy to waste your time with that. But of course, it is up to you..
Magdalena Dumitrana , like it or not, Cognitivism is an extension of the Cartesian Binary, upon which is pervasive in lots of Western Metaphysics.
Tieu-Tieu Le Phung, yes, so what? The existence of a thing does not mean that is useful, beneficial, related to Truth. In psychology, sure not. Even if 1000000 of people say that something is good, this does not mean that the thing is really good. Especially nowadays.
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