Psychology 3228 Lecture 5: Thought and Cognition

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 3228
• Professor: Scott Mac Dougall- Shackleton

Document Summary

Mind as adaptations: evolutionary views is that the mind is an adaptation. Or set of adaptations: cognitive functions are solutions to problems related to survival and reproduction. If the mind is modular, does the brain have to be modular: how does the brain relate to the mind, the mind-body problem. Evolution and cognition: natural selection has designed cognitive modules to meet certain problems. Designed modules implemented by specific cognitive mechanisms/algorithms and physical substrate (brain) Language: the brain is a costly organ. High risk birthing more risks (birth complications) than most other mammals. To provide useful representation and guide action. Computational metaphor: the mind as a computer, program can operate and be described independent of hardware. Computational theory of mind: the brain as a computer. Substrate neutrality can describe processes as independent of the hardware (but eventually have to connect it all: computational mechanisms allow the organism to deal with the environment.