“The evolution of cognition --a hypothesis” By Holk Cruse Presentation facilitated by Bethany Sills and Lauren Feliz Bethany Sills and Lauren Feliz Cruse, Holk. (2003). The Evolution of Cognition--- a hypothesis. Cognitive Science, 27,

Introduction Cruse argues that a human’s cognitive system might be regarded as a special form of reactive systems (exaptation). Cruse argues that a human’s cognitive system might be regarded as a special form of reactive systems (exaptation). He believes that humans have developed the ability to neurologically perceive the world around them (Internal perspective). He believes that humans have developed the ability to neurologically perceive the world around them (Internal perspective). Cruse, Holk. (2003). The Evolution of Cognition--- a hypothesis. Cognitive Science, 27, Cruse, Holk. (2003). The Evolution of Cognition--- a hypothesis. Cognitive Science, 27,

Overview of Topics Reactive Systems Reactive Systems Cognitive Systems Cognitive Systems MMC MMC Internal Perspective Internal Perspective Cruse, Holk. (2003). The Evolution of Cognition--- a hypothesis. Cognitive Science, 27, Cruse, Holk. (2003). The Evolution of Cognition--- a hypothesis. Cognitive Science, 27,

Reactive Systems ("motor intelligence". ) A reactive system responds to sensory-input A reactive system responds to sensory-input Reactive systems usually deal with a stimulus that occurs in the present (for example: an involuntary motor reaction). Reactive systems usually deal with a stimulus that occurs in the present (for example: an involuntary motor reaction). Also called “passive representation” a cognitive look-up-table. (a kind of cognitive process where a specific stimulus elicits a specific response) Also called “passive representation” a cognitive look-up-table. (a kind of cognitive process where a specific stimulus elicits a specific response) Thus, faster solutions to known tasks, but less flexible Thus, faster solutions to known tasks, but less flexible Cruse, Holk. (2003). The Evolution of Cognition--- a hypothesis. Cognitive Science, 27, Cruse, Holk. (2003). The Evolution of Cognition--- a hypothesis. Cognitive Science, 27,

Cognitive Systems (“Internal World Model”) A cognitive system must have a kind-of internal model of the world in order to manipulate potential behavioral reactions in the mind. A cognitive system must have a kind-of internal model of the world in order to manipulate potential behavioral reactions in the mind. Includes a “dynamic” or “manipulable” representation. Includes a “dynamic” or “manipulable” representation. –This cognitive representation can find potentially new solutions to given problems. Cruse, Holk. (2003). The Evolution of Cognition--- a hypothesis. Cognitive Science, 27, Cruse, Holk. (2003). The Evolution of Cognition--- a hypothesis. Cognitive Science, 27,

MMC Net MMC stands for the mean of multiple computation MMC stands for the mean of multiple computation It is a neurological model that consists of “a recurrent network which relaxes to adopt a stable state corresponding to a geometrically correct solution, even when the input does not fully constrain the solution” (140) It is a neurological model that consists of “a recurrent network which relaxes to adopt a stable state corresponding to a geometrically correct solution, even when the input does not fully constrain the solution” (140) In other words, MCC is a cognitive basis for which humans imagine the movements of their mental body. In other words, MCC is a cognitive basis for which humans imagine the movements of their mental body. –Ex/ Cruse’s arm studies Cruse, Holk. (2003). The Evolution of Cognition--- a hypothesis. Cognitive Science, 27, Cruse, Holk. (2003). The Evolution of Cognition--- a hypothesis. Cognitive Science, 27,

Internal Perspective Humans have evolved an HIP (have an internal perspective) vs. NIP (not having an internal perspective). Humans have evolved an HIP (have an internal perspective) vs. NIP (not having an internal perspective). An internal perspective is the individual experience of an individual’s subjective world. An internal perspective is the individual experience of an individual’s subjective world. Internal perspective corresponds to consciousness. Internal perspective corresponds to consciousness. Subjective experience “does not reflect our direct sensory input, but relies on the content of a construct” (147). Subjective experience “does not reflect our direct sensory input, but relies on the content of a construct” (147). Cruse, Holk. (2003). The Evolution of Cognition--- a hypothesis. Cognitive Science, 27, Cruse, Holk. (2003). The Evolution of Cognition--- a hypothesis. Cognitive Science, 27,

Points that we found interesting… Cruse asserts that “the most important part of the world, and also nearest part of the world, seen from ‘a brains view’ is the own body.” Thus cognitive internal world models might be formed by a model of one’s own body. Cruse asserts that “the most important part of the world, and also nearest part of the world, seen from ‘a brains view’ is the own body.” Thus cognitive internal world models might be formed by a model of one’s own body. How is the mind able to create an internal mental model of the body? And, why are some people’s mental model’s better defined than others (example/ dancing or coordination). How is the mind able to create an internal mental model of the body? And, why are some people’s mental model’s better defined than others (example/ dancing or coordination). Subjective experience Subjective experience

Points that we found debatable…. Do we really have a holistically cognitive “internal body model” that is able to model geometric surroundings and possibilities? Is our awareness of the environment a cognitively learned state? If internal models do exist, what is the cause of errors in cognitive processes? Do we really have a holistically cognitive “internal body model” that is able to model geometric surroundings and possibilities? Is our awareness of the environment a cognitively learned state? If internal models do exist, what is the cause of errors in cognitive processes? This article examined examples that are based on the body’s awareness of movement, but what about abstract thought? What kind-of internal model would create this? If one works from the bottom up, wouldn’t abstract thought also have some kind-of internal model? This article examined examples that are based on the body’s awareness of movement, but what about abstract thought? What kind-of internal model would create this? If one works from the bottom up, wouldn’t abstract thought also have some kind-of internal model?

Any Questions?