CGSC 270 Introduction to Cognitive Science
Prof. W. Frawley
Examination #1
October 1, 1997
Due Oct 8, 1997

All examinations must be typed (3-4 pages for each question)
Do not use the same evidence and examples in different questions.
Be specific. Focused answers are better than general ones.

1. Below are four fundamental concepts in cognitive science. Define three and show their relevance to cognitive science:

A. Computation

B. Functionalism

C. Architecture

D. Reductionism/Eliminativism


2. Discuss the idea of representation at the algorithmic and implementational levels and sublevels. How is representation the same/different at these levels?

3. What does it mean to say that cognitive science is a unified theory of computational-biological information processing? Show how both diversity and continuity can be used to view processing systems within such a theory.

4. Describe the idea of constraints or (pace Gallistel et al.) privileged response as a guide to explaining mind. How do constraints relate to such essential notions as computability and learnability, properties of the processor, levels of explanation, the initial state, and comparative (human/nonhuman) representation and processing?

5. Reflecting on the rapid development of amazing, bells-and-whistles software, Paul Krugman (MIT economics professor) observes in the Sunday NY Times (9/28/97): "...making programs.. ever more feature-laden often makes them harder, not easier, to learn and use." Analogize this to biological information processing. What issues in cognitive science does the observation raise? What kind of response can cognitive science provide to this observation?