cognitive science
Interdisciplinary brain research
Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of the mind and its processes—how we perceive, think, learn, remember, and use language.
It draws on psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy, computer science, and artificial intelligence to understand cognition.
Cognitive science research has transformed our understanding of how children acquire language.
State of sentient awareness
- thoughtMental concept or reflection
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- metacognitionAwareness of own reasoning
intentionality · qualia · introspection · attention · working memory · executive function · decision making · problem solving
Seat of cognition
- neuronsSignal-transmitting brain cells
- synapsesNeuron-to-neuron transmission points
- cortexOrgan's external tissue
- hippocampusMemory formation region
amygdala · prefrontal cortex · neurotransmitters · neural networks · neuroimaging · fMRI · EEG · PET scan
Machines mimicking human thought
- machine learningAlgorithms that improve from data
- algorithmsFinite instruction sequences
- neural networksLayered computational learning systems
- natural language processingComputational analysis of speech
computer vision · simulation · information processing · Turing test · deep learning · expert systems
Converting data to format
- storageSpace for keeping goods
- retrievalAct of getting back
- working memoryTemporary cognitive holding space
- long-term memoryStored knowledge over time
procedural memory · forgetting · recall · interference · consolidation · amnesia · false memory · memory palace
Ability to see
- attentionFocused mental awareness
- sensory processingBrain interpreting incoming stimuli
- change blindnessFailure to detect visual modifications
- depth perceptionGauging object distance visually
Science of mental speech processes
- language acquisitionDeveloping communication ability
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
- pragmaticsLanguage-in-context study
Chomsky · universal grammar · aphasia · bilingualism · language comprehension · discourse · sign language
Tests of a hypothesis
- reaction timeSpeed of response
- eye trackingMeasuring visual fixation points
- primingMaking ready beforehand
- psychophysicsScience linking stimuli to perception
neuropsychology · case studies · replication · individual differences
Learned behavioral adaptation
- habituationDiminished reaction over time
- reinforcementAdding support or encouragement
- skill acquisitionGaining new abilities
- transferMove between locations
consciousness
State of sentient awareness
- thoughtMental concept or reflection
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
metacognition · intentionality · qualia · introspection · attention · working memory · executive function · decision making · problem solving · conceptualization
brain
Seat of cognition
- neuronsSignal-transmitting brain cells
- synapsesNeuron-to-neuron transmission points
- cortexOrgan's external tissue
hippocampus · amygdala · prefrontal cortex · neurotransmitters · neural networks · neuroimaging · fMRI · EEG · PET scan · plasticity
artificial intelligence
Machines mimicking human thought
- machine learningAlgorithms that improve from data
- algorithmsFinite instruction sequences
- neural networksLayered computational learning systems
natural language processing · computer vision · simulation · information processing · Turing test · deep learning · expert systems
encoding
Converting data to format
- storageSpace for keeping goods
- retrievalAct of getting back
- working memoryTemporary cognitive holding space
long-term memory · procedural memory · forgetting · recall · interference · consolidation · amnesia · false memory · memory palace · chunking
vision
Ability to see
- attentionFocused mental awareness
- sensory processingBrain interpreting incoming stimuli
- change blindnessFailure to detect visual modifications
psycholinguistics
Science of mental speech processes
- language acquisitionDeveloping communication ability
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
pragmatics · Chomsky · universal grammar · aphasia · bilingualism · language comprehension · discourse · sign language
experiments
Tests of a hypothesis
- reaction timeSpeed of response
- eye trackingMeasuring visual fixation points
- primingMaking ready beforehand
psychophysics · neuropsychology · case studies · replication · individual differences
conditioning
Learned behavioral adaptation
- habituationDiminished reaction over time
- reinforcementAdding support or encouragement
- skill acquisitionGaining new abilities
transfer · generalization · categorization · schema · expertise
- sciencesbiology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology
- academic fieldsmathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, history
- disciplinesbiology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, psychology
- social sciencessociology, anthropology, psychology, economics, criminology
- college majorsbiology, psychology, engineering, chemistry, physics
- behavioral sciencebehaviorism, conditioning, reinforcement, stimulus, response
cognitive sciencephysiology
Science of bodily functions
kinesiology · biomechanics · anatomy · exercise science · materials science
cognitive sciencemysticism
Pursuit of divine union
folk psychology · occultism · intuitive knowledge · spiritualism · anti-intellectualism
science, recognize, recognition, scientific, recognized, cognitive, recognizing, recognizable, cognition