Module 1 Flashcards
What is a System:
A mechanism or creature composed or organized network or structure which is distinct from it’s surroundings and environment; composed of interacting or interrelated parts
May involve a characteristic or distinctive purpose or function
What’s a Cognitive System?
A system may be deemed cognitive if it’s capable of thinking and processing information, then acting on it
Perhaps something that is understandable in terms of what it’s thinking
Although our interest in Cognitive Systems is partially theoretical, much of it involves an engineering and design perspective!
Is “artificial intelligence” considered “fake” intelligence?
Not all artificial things are fake. If something is intelligent, it’s intelligent. Regardles of the type of intelligence.
“acting intelligently is being intelligent”
“when real AI is achieved, it will be real intelligence, created artificially” - Poole & Mackworth
ex: consider a fake diamond
What are mental processes?
Internal, subjective experiences we infer from behavior.
This could include: Sensations, perceptions, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings
What is considered the foundation of “scientific thought”?
Aristotle using observation + questioning in the 4th Century BCE to understand the body-psyche relationship.
What is “Mind-Body Dualism”?
Commonly associated with René Descartes
States that the mind and body are distinct and separable things. Not subject to physical laws!
The problem is that this can’t be studied; is impossible to prove thus far
Dismissed by most neuroscientists
What is “Monism”?
The stance that mental events are a product of physical events.
Chemical reactions in the brain produce emotions, decisions, behaviours, etc.
This can be scientifically observed/researched
Who were some early key figures in support of the concept of Monism?
Luigi Galvani - Severed frog leg which moved when Galvani ran an electric current through it. He discovered the electrical nature of nerve conduction
Phineas Gage - Miner who had a portion of his frontal lobe removed in a dynamite accident. His incident and succeeding behaviour changes proved that our brains are not homogenous. Massively important in highlighting localization of function.
What is Phrenology?
The concept, endorsed by Franz Gall, which claims that the exterior characteristics of the skull can give insight into mental characteristics and character.
Initially believed, but it doesn’t tell us anything about the brain’s underlying functions.
Gage was correct in believing that different parts of the brain are responsible in producing specific behaviours!
What is Psychodynamics?
Sigmund Freud
Emphasized ways in which unconscious thought processes and emotional responses to childhood experiences affect later behaviour in life.
Relating later behaviour to earlier experiences.
Behaviourism:
John B. Watson & J.F. SKinner
Focused on psychology as a “scientifically observable behaviour”, disregarding internal mental processes.
What were some major surgical interventions in the 20th century?
Wilder Penfield’s - treatment of epilepsy by destroying nerve cells. He stimulated the brain using electric probes while patients were awake on the operating table, and then recorded their behaviour!
Antonio Egas Moniz - Won Nobel Peace Prize for development of brain surgery to treat mental illness.
His work involved the removal of neurons from the front of the brain
What were Hubel and Wiesel known for?
They made a direct recording from a cat’s visual cortex.
Were able to study feature detection in the visual cortex, and define simple, complex, and hypercomplex cells.
Cognitive Revolution?
Began in 1960s
Hubel and Wiesel
A focus is brought back on internal mental processes.
A pushback is formed against Behaviourism.
Technology like: fMRI, PET scans,
