GIST About Global vs. Local

Closed-ended local and open-ended global subsets of human language serve as endpoints of a gradient of functional features that bias the interaction between language and cognition. “Local” refers to acquired cultural belief systems and “global” represents a purposely constructed, idealized scientific belief system. This table identifies language effects of beliefs and values related to relative accuracy of reasoning about the natural world, including: 1) flexibility; the ability to respond effectively in a wide variety of situations, 2) adaptability; the ability to update behavior to account for changes in the environment, 3) robustness; the ability to withstand disturbances and changes in circumstances without having to make substantive changes in behavior and 4) more accurate reasoning.

Functional Interaction of Language and Cognition
Closed-Ended Local Bias	Open-Ended Global Bias
Ambiguous assumptions and dogmatic beliefs, unsupported by facts or evidence, but rigidly stated as unquestionable "truths of the Universe"; prohibitions against questioning and novelty search	Unambiguous assumptions stated probabilistically as theories; hypotheses and conclusions supported by evidence, scientific testing, retesting, with mandatory questioning and encouragement of novelty search
Based on unexamined local classes, rigid ritualistic thought and behavior that promotes ambiguities & misinterpretation of the natural world	Based on global scientifically examined classes, adaptable thought, and behavior that promotes transparent interpretation of the natural world
Rigid, maladaptive methods, subjective bias, vertical subordinate communication. Absolute, static bias: certain, determinate, static guarantees	Flexible, adaptive methods, objective bias, collateral communication. Variable, dynamic bias: uncertain, non-determinate, dynamic probability
Tends to get stuck and stay stuck due to deception, assumes "this is the right way and the only way, this is the only solution"	If stuck, tends to try something new and thus avoids deception, assumes "many ways and potentially better solutions"
Local limitations for problem interpretation, search, and solutions, limited when applied to global problems and solutions. Variable local labeling of objects, classes, and variable local methods	Global capacity for problem interpretation, search, and solutions, adept application to local and global problems and solutions. Consistent global labeling of objects, classes, and consistent global methods
Closed-ended monotonic reasoning; cognition using dichotomous grammar, restricted executive function and problem search space	Open-ended non-monotonic reasoning; cognition using multivariate grammar, expanded freedom of executive function and problem search space
Closed-ended veridical bias: true and false, either-or, absolute, concrete, black and white; constrictive and restrictive, non-contextual, parental, demanding, adversarial	Open-ended adaptive associative bias: abstract, gray, gradated; expansive and extensive, contextual, adult, requesting, cooperative
Predetermined certainty, all knowing, resulting in decreased vigilance and awareness: reflexive "implicit thoughtlessness"	Indeterminate relative uncertainty, inquisitive, resulting in increased vigilance and awareness: deliberate "explicit thoughtfulness"
Limited empathy, cooperation, understanding, and fairness due to local frame of reference representation based on unexamined inaccuracies	Expansive empathy, cooperation, understanding, and fairness due to global frame of reference representation based on examined accuracies
Semantic inaccuracy: vague, poorly defined word use, with more inaccurate overgeneralizations and absolute inferences: always, never, every, all, none, etc.	Semantic accuracy: specific, best definition and word use with more accurate graded generalizations and non-absolute inferences: frequently, often, occasionally, many, some, few, etc.
Rigid assertions implying limited, closed-ended forced choices, ignoring broader choices and consequences; imperative and prescriptive; I should, I must, I have to, I need to, and I have got to. "I am obligated."	Flexible assertions implying multiple open-ended choices, based on broader choices and consequences; preferential: I prefer, I would rather, I would like to, I choose to. "It is a choice."
Offers expression of a weak or nonexistent argument expressed "as the solution" to the problem and tends to ignore the number of or strengths of assumptions	Offers expression of a strong argument relating to the solution of the problem and relies on minimizing the number of and maximizing the strength of assumptions
Insensitive to inaccuracies of information (classes), of thought process (methods), and of event-level orientation; retroactive, learning "reactive"	Sensitive to accuracies of information (classes), of thought process (methods), and of event-level orientation; forward-thinking, learning "proactive" and "considerate"
Focus on retrospective minimization of errors and distortion of cause-effect by rationalizing, justifying, judging, blaming, finger pointing, and punishing, i.e. variable irresponsibility and poor accountability, "driving in the rear view mirror"	Focus on learning from mistakes using error detection and correction for improvement of cause-effect i.e. active, consistent responsibility and accountability of choices and consequences, "driving with eyes on the road"
Inaccuracies and faulty assumptions, faulty and inaccurate cause-and-effect conclusions, fosters solutions with weak or no arguments	Accuracies and reasonable assumptions, more plausible and more accurate cause-and-effect conclusions, fosters solutions with strong arguments
General unawareness of thought process accuracy,(methods) local cultural belief system, bias unawareness, promotes "blind sight"	General awareness of thought process accuracy (methods) and global scientific belief system, bias awareness, promotes "insight"

(Modified from Bailey, 2006; Bailey, 2007; Bailey, 2009)