Cognitive Science Glossary

A property of an object or environment that suggests how it can be used, as perceived by an agent. The concept, introduced by J.J. Gibson, bridges perception and action.

The cognitive process of selectively concentrating on relevant information while ignoring distractions. It includes sustained, selective, divided, and executive forms of attention.

A psychological approach that focuses exclusively on observable behavior and rejects the study of internal mental states. It dominated psychology before the cognitive revolution of the 1950s.

The challenge of explaining how the brain integrates separately processed features (color, shape, motion, sound) into a unified, coherent conscious experience.

The process of grouping individual pieces of information into larger, meaningful units (chunks) to overcome the limitations of short-term memory capacity.

A comprehensive computational framework that specifies the structures and processes underlying cognition. Examples include ACT-R (Adaptive Control of Thought-Rational) and SOAR.

The branch of neuroscience that studies the biological mechanisms underlying cognitive processes, using methods such as fMRI, EEG, and lesion studies.

An approach to cognitive modeling that uses networks of simple interconnected processing units (artificial neurons) to simulate cognitive processes through distributed, parallel computation.

The subjective awareness of internal and external experiences. It remains one of the most debated topics in cognitive science, encompassing the hard problem, qualia, and neural correlates.

A type of long-term memory that stores facts (semantic memory) and personal events (episodic memory) that can be consciously recalled and verbally declared.

A framework distinguishing two cognitive systems: System 1 (fast, automatic, intuitive) and System 2 (slow, deliberate, analytical). It explains patterns in judgment, reasoning, and decision-making.

The theory that cognitive processes are fundamentally shaped by the body's morphology, sensory systems, and motor capabilities, and by the body's dynamic interaction with the physical environment.

A subcategory of declarative memory involving the recollection of specific personal events and experiences, typically associated with a particular time and place.

A set of higher-order cognitive processes—including inhibition, working memory updating, and cognitive flexibility—that enable goal-directed behavior, planning, and self-regulation.

A mental shortcut or rule of thumb that simplifies decision-making and problem-solving. While efficient, heuristics can lead to systematic errors known as cognitive biases.

The failure to perceive an unexpected stimulus in plain sight when attention is engaged on another task. It demonstrates the fundamental limitations of selective attention.

The process by which humans acquire the ability to perceive, produce, and use language. Debates center on the roles of innate linguistic structures (nativism) versus learning from input (empiricism).

The memory system responsible for storing information over extended periods, ranging from minutes to a lifetime. It includes declarative memory (explicit) and procedural memory (implicit).

The awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes, including the ability to monitor, evaluate, and regulate one's cognitive activities during learning and problem-solving.

The brain's capacity to reorganize its neural connections and pathways in response to new experiences, learning, environmental changes, or injury throughout the lifespan.

The cognitive process of organizing, interpreting, and giving meaning to sensory information from the environment. It involves both bottom-up data-driven and top-down knowledge-driven processes.

A type of implicit long-term memory responsible for knowing how to perform skills and actions, such as riding a bicycle or typing. It operates largely outside conscious awareness.

The subjective, phenomenal qualities of conscious experience—the 'what it is like' aspect of perceiving, such as the felt redness of red or the experienced taste of coffee.

An organized mental framework or knowledge structure that represents concepts, events, or objects and their relationships. Schemas guide perception, memory encoding, and inference.

A limited-capacity cognitive system for the temporary storage and manipulation of information required for complex tasks such as language comprehension, reasoning, and learning.