cogntive 8

Modularity

The idea that the mind is made up of independent systems – modules – that are specialized for certain computations.

Characteristics of a module

Domain specificity, Information encapsulation, mandatory operation, limited central accessibility, and fixed neural architecture.

Müller-Lyer Illusion

An optical illusion used to demonstrate modularity and encapsulation in the visual system.

Modest Modularity

The view that low-level perceptual systems are modular, while central cognition is not.

Architectural Joint

The conceptual dividing line between perception and cognition in the modest modularity framework.

Massive Modularity

The theory that the mind is modular through and through, including higher-level cognition, often described as a "Swiss Army knife" architecture.

Fusiform Face Area (FFA)

An area of visual processing that specializes in facial recognition and selectively responds to the feeling of faces in people born blind.

Thatcher Effect

A phenomenon illustrating specific constraints and processes in facial recognition.

Prosopagnosia

the inability to recognize faces.

Informational encapsulation

restriction of the flow of information into a system; its output is immune to higher-level beliefs, desires, and goals.

Opponent-process theory

color vision is processed through opposing pairs of colors, where activation of one color inhibits the perception of its opposite color (such as red vs. green and blue vs. yellow).

Blindsight

The ability for individuals who are cortically blind to respond to visual stimuli despite lacking conscious-level awareness.

Sensation

is detection of stimuli by the sensory systems.

Perception

is understanding

Bottom-up processing

Information flow from the senses toward perception.

Top-down processing

Information flow from prior knowledge toward perception.

Color constancy

A psychological phenomenon where the perceived color of objects remains constant under varying illumination conditions, such as the 'blue and black' or 'white and gold' dress.

Cognitive impenetrability

The processes involved in perception that cannot be influenced by conscious thought or beliefs.

example of cognitive impenetrability

color constancy

example of color penetrability

mental color mixing

cognitive penetrability

The idea that perception can be influenced by cognitive factors such as beliefs, knowledge, or expectations.