Introduction to Cognitive Science (1)

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Complex Question

Historical Issues

• WW II
• Physiology
• Cybernetics
• Behaviorism (nearing its logical end)
• Linguistics and Language
• Philosophy
• Computation
• Coding

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Focus of CS (compared to psychology)

• Psychology looks at individuals (animals and humans)
• Description and analysis of behavior patterns is the goal

• Cognitive Science looks at cognition
• Behavior is used as evidence of cognition
• Goal is to describe and analyze cognition as a general process

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Role of Computers

• CS is practically impossible without computers
• Computers provide a concrete model of cognition
• Computers also provide the means to experiment

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Interdisciplinary Issues

• CS is receptive to input from many fields
• Blessing and curse
• Communication becomes a problem