What is cognitive science?
Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of the mind and its processes.
It examines cognition in humans, animals, and even machines through the fields of psychology, neuroscience, anthropology, linguistics, philosophy and computer science.
It may also be referred to as the study of mind and intelligence.
Cognition: The mental processes of acquiring and understanding knowledge through thought, experiences, and the senses.
(source: Oxford Dictionaries)
Types of cognitive processes
Cognitive process encompasses anything related to the processing of information by our brains, whether it be on a conscious or subconscious level. These processes can be categorized as higher or lower level cognitive functions.
Lower level processes occur in an automatic, involuntary and subconscious manner. They don't require any conscious effort from the person in order to be achieved. Examples of lower level processes include implicit memory, recognition, and sensory processing.
On the other hand, higher level cognitive functions occur in a conscious and voluntary manner through controlled awareness on the individual's part. Examples of higher level processes are explicit memory, problem solving, and constructive thinking.
Types of cognitive functions include, but are not limited to:
Attention: a cognitive process that allows people to focus on a specific stimulus in their environment and therefore respond to it. There are different types of attention such as focused attention, sustained attention, selective attention, alternating attention, and divided attention.
Stimulus: a thing or event that evokes a
specific reaction in an organ or tissue
(source: Oxford Dictionaries)
Sensation and perception: Sensation is the cognitive function that allows people to process information through the 5 senses. Perception is is the way our brains interpret this information and utilize it to respond to and interact with the world around us.
Memory: this process allows people to encode, store, and retrieve information, helping them retain knowledge about the world and their personal histories.
Thought: Thought is a higher level function and an essential part of every cognitive process. It allows people to engage in decision-making, problem-solving, and higher reasoning.
Language: This cognitive process involves the ability to understand and express ones thoughts through the spoken and written word. It allows us to communicate with each other by producing and comprehending different sounds and words, combining different letters and phrases and expressing with precision what we want to communicate.
Learning: Learning requires different cognitive processes that allow us to take in new things by synthesizing (forming) information and integrating it with prior knowledge.
A look into the related fields
Psychology: Studies the human mind and its functions
Neuroscience: Studies the nervous system and its functions
Anthropology: Studies the development of human behavior, human societies, and culture
Linguistics: The scientific study of language and its structure, including syntax, grammar, and phonetics (sound)
Philosophy: Studies fundamental questions concerning the nature of knowledge, reality, values, and existence
AI & computer science: Computer science studies computation, information and the design of computers. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science focused on the creation of machines and computers that mimic human cognition and intelligence.
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