The effective transfer of knowledge is predicated on understanding how people acquire knowledge and understanding. Cognitive science is based upon the study of how people learn, think, and communicate, and thus can provide us with valuable lessons in this domain. Here we will review some of the findings from the field of cognitive science which is comprised of a broad array of disciplines including cognitive psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, and philosophy to identify lessons we can apply directly in business. These disciplines are rich and diverse, and our objective in drawing on them is very specifically to learn how to be more effective at implementing knowledge transfer.

Cognitive science is divided by many arguments over fundamental issues in the field. Ray Jackendoff, a leading researcher in the field, delicately refers to the unfortunate sociological problems in cognitive science. ^[1] Without attempting to resolve any of these arguments, I will draw on the most relevant research and thinking in the field to provide useful lessons for business professionals. Despite the diversity of approaches of scientists working in the field, major progress has been made over the last decades in understanding many of the fundamental issues of human cognition. Delving into the theoretical and empirical background to the foundations of knowledge acquisition will be very valuable in building an understanding of how to design effective client communication and interaction. Unfortunately, this Appendix offers only a brief overview of the field, but I hope it stimulates interest and further study in what I believe...