Procedural and Declarative Knowledge (original) (raw)

Procedural and declarative knowledge: an evolutionary perspective

Theory & Psychology, 1999

It appears that there are resemblances in the organization of memory and the visual system, although the functions of these faculties differ considerably. In this article, the principles behind this organization are discussed. One important principle regards the distinction between declarative and procedural knowledge, between knowing that and knowing how. Declarative knowledge is considered here not as an alternative kind of knowledge, as is usually the case in theories of memory, but as part of procedural knowledge. In our view this leads to another approach with respect to the distinction. Declarative knowledge has occupied more attention in (cognitive) psychological research than can be justified on the basis of the importance of procedural knowledge for behavior. We also discuss the question whether there are other brain faculties that reflect the same organizational characteristics. We conclude with some speculations about the consequent role of consciousness in such a tentative model. KEY WORDS: declarative knowledge, evolutionary psychology, memory, procedural knowledge, vision Theory & Psychology Copyright © 1999 Sage Publications. Vol. 9(5): 605-624 [0959-3543(199910)9:5;605-624;008995]

CONSTRUCTING NEURONS A JOURNEY FOR UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES OF EVOLVING COGNITION

irscpublishing.com

Human Brain has been in continual exploration and engaged in the journey of understanding intricately intertwined functioning of Brain and Mind since times immemorial. But, due to the recent emergence of radical perspectives in analyzing the phenomena, remarkable progress has been accomplished in the present century. The proposition of myriad theories and models, fledgling perspectives and complex and sometimes conflictual views have marked the order of the Intellectual dialogism and communion. Theories regarding how the mind (as brain is a recent concept placing its emphasis mostly on physiological bases) functions, acquires information, retains, modifies, and cognizes has remained a perennial concern for all ranging from a lay person to a philosopher. Considering our present limited knowledge and perspectives the attempt to adhere to a particular perspective will be suicidal. Therefore, the expedition for future bailiwicks should be embarked upon with a manifesto reflecting sound impartial ideology (sufficient enough to be not hyper-ideological), and a perspective which rather than adopting a piecemeal approach to the study of human mind will leverage on a methodological holism.

The Origin of Cognition: Introduction

Introduction chapter to a book-length version of a paper of the same name presented at the 2011 TSC conference in Stockholm. The Origin of Cognition: The evolution of sentience mapped in incremental adaptations, from the boundary awareness of single-celled organisms, to the cognitive complexity of human brains.

Fundamental principles of cognitive biology

Aim and Scope: "Evolution and Cognition" is an interdisciplinary forum devoted to all aspects of research on cognition in animals and humans. The major emphasis of the journal is on evolutionary approaches to cognition, reflecting the fact that the cognitive capacities of organisms result from biological evolution. Empirical and theoretical work from both fields, evolutionary and cognitive science, is accepted, but particular attention is paid to interdisciplinary perspectives on the mutual relationship between evolutionary and cognitive processes. Submissions dealing with the significance of cognitive research for the theories of biological and sociocultural evolution are also welcome. "Evolution and Cognition" publishes both original papers and review articles. Period of Publication: Semi-annual Price: Annuals subscription rate (2 issues): ATS 500; DEM 70, US$ 50; SFr 60; GBP 25. Annual subscriptions are assumed to be continued automatically unless subscription orders are cancelled by written information.

Evolutionary psychology's grain problem and the cognitive neuroscience of reasoning

2003

dynamic visual patterns following damage to the amygdala. Society of Neuroscience Abstracts, 24, 1176. Henson, R. N. A., Shallice, T., & Dolan, R. J. (1999). Right prefrontal cortex and episodic memory retrieval: a functional MRI test of the monitoring process. Brain, 122, 1367-1381. Heyes, C. M. (1998). Theory of mind in nonhuman primates. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 21, 101-148. Hietanen, J. K., & Perrett, D. I. (1996). Motion sensitive cells in the macaque superior temporal polysensory area: response discrimination between self-generated and externally generated pattern motion. Behavioural Brain Research, 76, 155-167. Evolutionary psychology's grain problem 34 © Anthony P. Atkinson & Michael Wheeler, 2002 Humphrey, N. (1976). The social function of intellect. In P. P. G. Bateson & R. A. Hinde (Eds.), Growing points in ethology (pp. 303-317). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Jellema, T., & Perrett, D. I. (2001). Coding of visible and hidden actions. In W. Prinz & B. H...

Understanding the mind from an evolutionary perspective: an overview of evolutionary psychology

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science, 2014

The theory of evolution by natural selection provides the only scientific explanation for the existence of complex adaptations. The design features of the brain, like any organ, are the result of selection pressures operating over deep time. Evolutionary psychology posits that the human brain comprises a multitude of evolved psychological mechanisms, adaptations to specific and recurrent problems of survival and reproduction faced over human evolutionary history. Although some mistakenly view evolutionary psychology as promoting genetic determinism, evolutionary psychologists appreciate and emphasize the interactions between genes and environments. This approach to psychology has led to a richer understanding of a variety of psychological phenomena, and has provided a powerful foundation for generating novel hypotheses. Critics argue that evolutionary psychologists resort to storytelling, but as with any branch of science, empirical testing is a vital component of the field, with hypotheses standing or falling with the weight of the evidence. Evolutionary psychology is uniquely suited to provide a unifying theoretical framework for the disparate subdisciplines of psychology. An evolutionary perspective has provided insights into several subdisciplines of psychology, while simultaneously demonstrating the arbitrary nature of dividing psychological science into such subdisciplines. Evolutionary psychologists have amassed a substantial empirical and theoretical literature, but as a relatively new approach to psychology, many questions remain, with several promising directions for future research.