Cognitive Roots of Folklore: Understanding the Interplay between Mind Culture and Traditional Narratives

Abstract

This article explores the complex relationship between folklore and mind culture, focusing on how traditional narratives are shaped by cognitive processes. Folklore, as a repository of collective wisdom and social memory, plays a crucial role in the development and transmission of cultural knowledge. By examining the cognitive roots of folklore, the article investigates how stories, myths, and legends are not only vehicles for cultural identity but also function as cognitive tools that influence perception, memory, and understanding of the world. The article examines how traditional narratives serve as cognitive templates, organizing and simplifying complex social and natural phenomena. These narratives are passed down through generations, reinforcing shared values, norms, and social roles while also adapting to changing cultural contexts. The article also explores how folklore impacts individual and collective memory, particularly in how myths and stories are internalized and recalled within the cultural consciousness. Through the mind culture, this study highlights the dynamic interaction between individual cognition and the broader cultural narratives that shape it. . By understanding these cognitive processes, the article offers new insights into the function of folklore not only as a cultural artifact but as an active component in the cognitive landscape of human societies.