CGS Lecture 1
Cognitive Science Overview
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Cognitive science is the scientific study of the mind and how it works1.
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It is an interdisciplinary field that uses ideas and tools from many other fields, including psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, and computer science1.
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Cognitive science utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to study the mind and brain2.... It addresses problems solved with "brains" or "minds"2....
Core Disciplines
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Psychology: Focuses on the study of the mind and behavior, exploring questions such as what we can know about the world and how we learn and organize behavior1.... It employs scientific methods like hypothesis testing to determine cause and effect, as well as non-scientific, clinical, analytic, and introspective methods5.
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Neuroscience: Studies the neural basis of perception, cognition, and action6. It examines the structure and function of the nervous system through neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neuropsychology6.
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Neuroanatomy focuses on the structure of neurons and neural tracts, using techniques like staining/labeling dyes, tracer dyes, histology, and brain imaging such as MRI7.
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Neurophysiology studies the functions of neurons, often recording from single neurons with stimulation7.
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Neuropsychology examines the global functions of brain areas, using methods such as studying lesions and strokes, electrical stimulation, and neuroimaging to observe brain activity during tasks8.
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Computer Science, Engineering, Robotics: These fields focus on building machines that simulate functions such as perception, cognition, communication, action, and intelligence (AI)9. This gives insight into the complexity of problems9.
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Philosophy: Formulates different ways of perceiving problems10.
Cognitive Processes
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Sensation and Perception: Involves internalizing the physical world through various senses11.
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Light is processed into electromagnetic radiation for vision11.
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Sound is processed as sound pressure levels for audition11.
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Chemicals are processed for olfaction, gustatory senses, and trigeminal senses11.
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Mechanical energy is processed for touch11.
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Temperature and gravity/acceleration are processed for temperature and vestibular senses, respectively11.
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Some animals can process other forms of energy such as infrared (rattlesnakes), echolocation (bats, porpoises, birds), and magnetic sense (some birds)12.
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Cognition: Encompasses understanding, thought, planning, imagining, problem-solving, attention, learning, and memory13.
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Communication: Includes speech, language, gesture, facial expression, body language, posture, and gait14.
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Action: Involves manipulating the environment, actively exploring, and navigation15.
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Emotion: Includes experiencing feelings such as fear, happiness, and sadness15.
Cognitive Science Inquiry
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Cognitive science is a reverse engineering problem16.
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Engineering starts with a problem and designs a solution16.
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Reverse Engineering starts with a solution (e.g., the human brain) and seeks to understand its design and how it works