Understanding Human 'Hardware' and 'Software' – Lecture Summary

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts discussed in the lecture on human architecture from an evolutionary psychology perspective.

Human 'Hardware'

The biological basis and evolutionary development of human beings, including the brain and emotional circuits shared with other species.

Evolutionary Mismatch

The phenomenon where modern environments do not align with our evolved psychological and social needs, leading to emotional and social problems.

Instinct Blindness

The inability of humans to recognize the evolutionary mechanisms that drive their emotions and behaviors.

Evolutionary Psychology

A field that studies how evolutionary processes shape human behavior and mental processes.

Symbolic Cognition

The use of symbols to represent reality; the key feature that distinguishes intelligent beings, enabling understanding and problem-solving.

Hebbian Learning

A theory that proposes that neural pathways strengthen when activated together, encapsulated by the phrase 'neurons that fire together wire together.'

Neural Networks

Computational models inspired by the human brain that consist of interconnected nodes (neurons), used for processing information.

Connectionism

A theory in cognitive science that models mental phenomena as the emergent processes of interconnected networks of simple units.

Modularity of the Brain

The idea that specific brain regions are specialized for certain functions, and damage to these areas can disrupt associated behaviors.

Cognitive Science

An interdisciplinary field that studies the mind and its processes, integrating insights from psychology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, linguistics, and philosophy.

Chinese Room Experiment

A thought experiment by John Searle that questions whether a computer running a program can be said to understand language or merely process symbols without comprehension.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt, both structurally and functionally, in response to experience.

Social Isolation

The lack of regular social interactions and connections, which can lead to increased feelings of loneliness and discontent.

Behavioral Reinforcement

A principle where behaviors are strengthened or weakened through rewards or punishments, influencing future actions.

Emotional Circuits

Innate biological mechanisms that govern emotional responses shared by humans and other animals.