Cognition

& Language

Dr. Irene Karayianni

Cognitive Psychology

thinking language memory Problem solving

knowing reasoning judging Decision making

Thinking and reasoning

Mental images

Concepts: Categorizing the World

Syllogistic reasoning

• Premise 1 All professors are mortal.

• Premise 2 Dr. Rivera is a professor.

• Conclusion Therefore, Dr. Rivera is mortal.

• Premise 1 All professors are mortal.

• Premise 2 Professor Rivera is a professor.

• Conclusion Therefore, all professors are Dr. Rivera.

Algorithms and heuristics

algorithm heuristic

representativeness

heuristic

availability

heuristic

Searching for AI

Problem solving

Steps of problem solving

Step 1

Preparation: Understanding and Diagnosing

New

problem

Familiar

problem

Well defined

problem

Ill defined

problem or or

Pay

attention to

restrictions

Spend less

time in

preparation

straightforward

judgments

Unclear nature

of problem

Info required to

solve it is not

obvious

Step 1

Preparation: Understanding and Diagnosing

Kinds of problems: arrangement problems

Step 1

Preparation: Understanding and Diagnosing

Kinds of problems: inducing structure

Step 1

Preparation: Understanding and Diagnosing

Kinds of problems: transformational

Step 1

Preparation: Understanding and Diagnosing

Representing and organizing the problem

Step 2

Production: generate solutions

direct solution stored in LTM Trial and error

Step 2

Production: generate solutions

heuristics

Means-end analysis Work backwards – focus on goal

Forming sub-goals

Divide problems into their parts

Step 2

Production: generate solutions

Insight: sudden awareness

Step 3

Judgment: evaluating solutions

Barriers to Solutions: Why Is Problem Solving

Such a Problem?

Functional fixedness

Barriers to Solutions: Why Is Problem Solving

Such a Problem?

Inaccurate evaluation of solutions

Confirmation bias

Creativity and Problem Solving

Increasing critical thinking & creativity

• Redefine problems. We can modify boundaries and assumptions by rephrasing a problem at either a more abstract or a more concrete level.

• Use subgoals. By developing subgoals, we can divide a problem into intermediate steps. This process, known as fractionation, allows us to examine each part for new possibilities and approaches, leading to a novel solution for the problem as a whole.

• Adopt a critical perspective . Rather than passively accepting assumptions or arguments, we can evaluate material critically, consider its implications, and think about possible exceptions and contradictions.

• Consider the opposite. By considering the opposite of a concept we’re seeking to understand, we can sometimes make progress. For example, to define “good mental health,” it may be useful to consider what “bad mental health” means.

• Use analogies . Analogies provide alternative frameworks for the interpretation of facts and help us uncover new understanding.

• Think divergently . Instead of the most logical or common use for an object, consider how you might use the object if you were forbidden to use it in the usual way.

• Use heuristics . Heuristics are cognitive shortcuts that can help bring about a solution to a problem. If the problem has a single correct answer and you can use or construct a heuristic, you can often find the solution more rapidly and effectively.

• Experiment with various solutions . Don’t be afraid to use different routes to find solutions for problems (verbal, mathematical, graphic, even dramatic). For instance, try to come up with every conceivable idea you can, no matter how wild or bizarre it may seem at first. After you’ve come up with a list of solutions, review each one and try to think of ways to make what at first appeared impractical seem more feasible.

Language

Grammar: Language’s language

phonology, syntax, semantics

Phonemes: fat, fate

“John kidnapped the boy”

“John, the kidnapped boy”

“The boy kidnapped John

Developing language: babble

Developing language: production of language

Telegraphic speech Overgeneralization

Developing language: language acquisition

Learning Theory Approaches: Language as a Learned Skill

language acquisition follows the principles of reinforcement and conditioning

Nativist Approaches: Language as an Innate Skill

humans are born with an innate linguistic capability that emerges primarily

as a function of maturation. All the world’s languages share a common

underlying structure called a universal grammar

Interactionist Approaches: combination of the above

we have the hardware that allows us to develop language, and exposure to

language in our environment allows us to develop the software to

understand and produce language

The influence of language on thinking

linguistic-relativity hypothesis: language is the cause of certain ways of thinking;

language shapes and may determine the way people in a specific culture perceive

and understand the world.

Vs.

thought produces language

Do animals use language?

Kanzi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKauXrp9dl4