Infomõistuse

Infomõistuse is a term in Estonian that refers to the information mind or information cognition. It denotes the cognitive processes involved in acquiring, evaluating, organizing, storing, and using information in the digital age. The concept draws on cognitive psychology, information science, and media studies, and is often used in discussions of digital literacy and information society.

Etymology and scope: The word is formed from infо (informatsioon/information) and mõistus (mind or intellect). In Estonian discourse, infomõistuse is not a narrow technical term but a broad frame for describing a set of interrelated skills, including attention to relevant information, critical evaluation of sources, understanding of data, and ethical use of information.

Applications: In education, infomõistuse encompasses abilities such as efficient information searching, source credibility assessment, distinguishing facts from misinformation, data literacy, synthetic reasoning, and responsible citation. It also implies awareness of information overload and cognitive biases in online environments.

Relation to other concepts: It overlaps with information literacy, media literacy, and digital literacy, while also incorporating elements of cognitive psychology like memory, retrieval, and bias awareness. Some scholars treat it as a culturally specific term, while others use it as a general descriptor for information-conscious thinking.

Criticism and debate: Critics argue that the term can be vague or tautological, and that it risks conflating multiple disciplines under one label. Proponents see it as a practical umbrella for navigating information-rich contexts.