PSYC 2272 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Cognitive Psychology, Reductionism, Mental Event
Document Summary
Cognition easier to understand as sum of separate compositions. Identify sub-parts and put them all together. Exposure to different research techniques (positives and negatives to each one) Localization of function in brain (size matters) Thought we could isolate different components of cognition. Reasonable approach we have inherited many of his ideas; many of his ideas can be seen in fmri work. Size of brain can correlated with function. Effort to use empirical data to support understanding. Tried to develop empirically-grounded science by measuring different parts of brain. Popular in britain in early 19th century. Spread to france and to usa 1830s-1840s. Basic idea: bumps on skull reflects the shape of the brain and, therefore, its abilities. Each faculty = separate organ in brain. Size of an organ is a measure of its power. Theory that large cerebellum suggests more thieving behavior. Size of overall brain as indicator of intelligence.
