lecture 6

Question 1

Social cognition

Answer 1

Mental processes to understand and interact with each other.

Question 2

What are different strategies to understand others?

Answer 2

1-Theory-Theory
2-Simulation theory
3- Direct perception (Interaction theory)

Question 3

Theory- theory

Answer 3

Capacity to understand others relying on folk psychological theory.

Example: Every person looks like x will act like y. (Thirsty people seek to drink)

Question 4

Epistemic strategy of theory theory

Answer 4

Cognitive strategies used to predict others’ behaviors based on law-like assumptions about connections between mental state and behaviors.
(questioning, hypothesis testing)

Question 5

How do children learn in relationships to social cognition?

Answer 5

By observation, and through testing and errors. This is how folk psychology was found.

Question 6

Evidences that support Theory- Theory

Answer 6

1- Empirical evidence
2-Dennet’s critique

Question 7

What’s the empirical evidence shown by the chimpanzee experiment

Answer 7

1- The chimpanzee sees a man struggling to reach a banana. When the chimpanzee is given multiple pictures of solutions he always chooses the correct one.

Result: The chimpanzee has a Theory of Mind. Recognizes that the videotape is a problem and comes up with a solution.

Question 8

Dennet’s critique about Chimpanzee experiment?

Answer 8

• It is unclear whether chimpanzee engages in the attribution of beliefs and desires.
• The experiment is missing false-belief attribution

Question 9

False-belief attribution?

Answer 9

the attribution of false beliefs to others that differ from one’s own beliefs.

(Sally has a basket experiment Theory of Mind)

Question 10

Is the evidence about false belief attribution convincing?

Answer 10

Objection Method: Maybe younger infants are capable of false belief understanding if we simplify the false belief test.

Question 11

Theories against Theory -Theory

Answer 11

Theory- theory assumes that internal mental states are only accessible due to complex inferences.

However, understanding others don’t always require such intellectual capacities.

Question 12

Simulation theory

Answer 12

We put ourselves into someonelses shoes. Information-poor mindreading where we don’t rely on folk psychology rather we rely on our own experiences.

Question 13

Epistemic strategy of Simulation theory

Answer 13

What would I think, feel or do if I would be that person in that situation.

Question 14

Goldman’s simulation theory?

Answer 14

we create “pretend” beliefs and desires, feed them into our practical reasoning, and finally attribute a pretend outcome.

Question 15

Evidence in favor of Simulation theory?

Answer 15

1-Mirror neurons: When you observe someone, your brain simulates what you’d do in their situation.

Question 16

Objection to Mirror-neuron evidence?

Answer 16

• Mirror neuron simulation is subconscious and doesn’t involve manipulating “pretend” mental states , understanding self/other, or any sort of inference
• Mirror neurons only provide evidence for low-level simulation.

Question 17

High-Level simulation (Goldman)

Answer 17

Conscious use of imagination

Question 18

Low level simulation

Answer 18

automatic, unconscious matching process.

Question 19

Limitations of Simulation theory

Answer 19

-Requires complex cognitive abilities that can’t be ascribed to infants.

• We are able to predict other’s behaviors even though we are quite different from each other.
• We often complement others behaviors which allows for

Question 20

Main assumptions of interaction theory?

Answer 20

Our understanding of others emerges directly from interactions, not from theoretical inferences or simulations.

note: other 2 theories assume a third perspective stance while interaction. theory 2nd perpective.

Question 21

What is the Complexity of interaction theory?

Answer 21

understanding doesn’t always require complexity you can also interact and read social cues.

Question 22

epistemic strategy of interaction theory?

Answer 22

you can directly perceive the internal states of others displayed in their overt behavior.

Question 23

Evidence speaks in favor of Interaction theory?

Answer 23

Intersubjectivity:

1- Primary: early capacity to interact based on social cues. ( eye movement, detecting motor intention)(2 months)
2-Secondary: early capacities are more embedded interaction starts involving external object or event that become fcus in between people..9 months

3-Tertiary: the ethical stance of what is right and wrong, explicit attitudes about others’ mental states. 4 years

Question 24

Arguments against interaction theory?

Answer 24

1-Understanding people from other cultures
2-written comunication
3-absent person interaction
4-complex multi-layered interaction

Question 25

What is Pluralism?

Answer 25

we rely on multiplicity of epistemic strategies when predicting, interpreting and reacting.

Question 26

Advantages of Pluralism?

Answer 26

1- avoids the limitations of monist approach 2-accounts for the complexity and flexibility of human cognition

Question 27

How do we employ different strategies?

Answer 27

1- How we employ these stratgeies differs from one culture to another. 2-The selection is shaped by our goals.