Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary, scientific study of the mind and its processes. It examines the nature, the tasks, and the functions of cognition (in a broad sense). Cognitive scientists study intelligence and behavior, with a focus on how nervous systems represent, process, and transform information.

Cognitive neuroscientists and others studying the brain mechanisms underlying consciousness and cognition have discovered a two-track human mind, each with its own neural processing. This dual processing affects our perception, memory, and attitudes at an explicit, conscious level and at an implicit, unconscious level.

Cognitive neuroscience is the interdisciplinary study of how brain activity is linked with our mental processes. It is helping us to understand how specific brain states relate to conscious expe- riences. Most cognitive neuroscientists are exploring and mapping the conscious functions of the cortex.

Cognitive Neuroscience. The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language).

Psychology 101

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Neuroscience shows that activity in the brain is intimately intertwined with behavior and mental processes.

Two historical roots of psychology are the disciplines of: a. philosophy and chemistry.

Precursors to American psychology can be found in philosophy and physiology. Philosophers such as John Locke (1632–1704) and Thomas Reid (1710–1796) promoted empiricism, the idea that all knowledge comes from experience.

In the study of the human mind and behavior, it is only natural that dozens of disciplines and sub-fields develop to help explain a certain perspective. Some people even separate psychology disciplines into two major groups: applied psychology and experimental psychology.

Introspection generally provides a privileged access to one’s own mental states, not mediated by other sources of knowledge, so that individual experience of the mind is unique. Introspection can determine any number of mental states including: sensory, bodily, cognitive, emotional and so forth.

In philosophy, “self-knowledge” standardly refers to knowledge of one’s own sensations, thoughts, beliefs, and other mental states. This entry focuses on knowledge of one’s own particular mental states.

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