Putting the Cognitive Mediation Networks Theory to the test: Evaluation of a framework for understanding the digital age

The Cognitive Mediation Networks Theory (CMNT) is a novel approach to human intelligence that, among other things, attempts to understand the cognitive changes associated to the emergence and dissemination of information and communication technologies throughout the last few decades. The present paper aims to investigate a central claim of the model, which is that the greater interaction of individuals with the changes emanating from the Digital Revolution and its implications (Hyperculture) tends to, in and of itself, produce psychological changes that lead to enhanced Cognitive Performance. For that purpose, a total of 1291 Brazilian adults and adolescents were investigated by means of an especially prepared form and cognitive tests. The results obtained indicated that a greater degree of Hyperculture is positively associated to Cognitive Performance and Sociability, regardless of sex, age, income, and level of education. These findings, taken together with those from other studies, strongly support the predictions of the CMNT, which emerges in this paper as a valid model of human cognition, at least when applied to the impacts of the Digital Revolution.

► Hyperculture is associated to higher levels of Cognitive Performance and Sociability.
► The impacts of Hyperculture are independent of sex, age, income, and education.
► The impacts of Hyperculture increase with the amount of experience with ICTs.
► Hyperculture is stronger the younger the age one begins to interact with ICTs.
► The Cognitive Mediation Networks Theory explains cognition in the digital age.