Articles tagged with Cognitive Theory
A new study suggests that language and theory of mind, two complex cognitive functions, have distinct origins in the brain in young children. Researchers found separate but related brain regions for these skills, which do not overlap or grow more distinct as the mind matures.
A Northwestern University study found that imagination is not just a copy of sensation, but emerges at later stages of processing when the brain represents information holistically. The researchers mapped brain activity during imagination and perception, finding overlap in higher-level association areas.
Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, founder of Center for BrainHealth, was inducted into the Texas Philosophical Society for her groundbreaking work on cognitive neuroscience and brain health. Her leadership has propelled UT Dallas's Center for BrainHealth into an international hub advancing brain health research.
Researchers developed a new approach to treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using noninvasive brain stimulation, which significantly reduced intrusive memories in individuals with the condition. The treatment targeted the hippocampus and surrounding regions, showing promising results in alleviating PTSD symptoms.
Researchers propose a roadmap for using transcranial focused ultrasound to study consciousness, enabling precise manipulation of brain activity and determining cause-and-effect patterns. This technology may help address the hard problem of consciousness by probing neural circuits that generate sensations, thoughts, and feelings.
A new study reveals that autistic individuals identify loneliness, hopelessness, and feelings of worthlessness as key factors contributing to their suicidal thoughts. The research highlights the need for improved access to support services and reduced stigma within society.
Researchers found that LLMs are better at representing non-sensorimotor concepts but struggle with sensory and motor concepts. Incorporating sensory input improves LLM performance and leads to more human-like representation, consistent with previous human studies on multimodal learning.
The authors propose expanding psychological contract theory to include non-human agents, such as algorithms, in digital labor platforms. They analyze how workers form contracts with these agents and explore the implications for understanding digitalized working relationships.
A study of 733 older female participants found that those with increasing sleepiness had double the risk of stable sleepers. Poor sleep quality in midlife and delayed dream phase are also linked to a higher risk of dementia. The study adds to recent research on the relationship between sleep patterns and dementia.
A study by Professor Jan Peters at the University of Cologne explores how virtual slot machines' design features trigger dopaminergic effects in the brain's reward system, leading to erroneous beliefs and expectations about control over outcomes and chances of winning. This can lead to continued gambling despite high losses.
Researchers used brain connectivity data to predict individual intelligence scores, finding that global brain connections were most important for performance. The results suggest a more complex understanding of intelligence and challenge existing theories, which often focus on specific brain regions.
Researchers used machine learning to predict multiple types of intelligence from brain connections, with general intelligence performing best. The model's accuracy improved when trained on theory-driven connections, suggesting there are still unknown aspects of intelligence to discover.
A majority of respondents ascribed emotions to most non-human primates, mammals, birds, cephalopods, and fish. The survey also explored the risks of anthropomorphism and anthropodenial in animal behavioral research.
The Networks of Beliefs theory presents a comprehensive model of individual- and social-level belief dynamics, integrating personal, social, and external dissonances. By understanding these interplay dynamics, researchers can better grasp how beliefs change when we pay attention to different parts of our belief system.
A new study by Dr. Meir Barneron found that genetically diverse groups outperform homogeneous groups in making collective judgments, suggesting genetic diversity enhances collective intelligence.
A new open-source platform called CheckMate allows users to interact with and evaluate the performance of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. Researchers found that while LLMs can be helpful, they also make mistakes and provide incorrect information.
A new AI model developed by researchers at the University of Jyvåskilö can predict and respond to human emotions, improving user experience. The model simulates cognitive evaluation processes to assess emotional responses to events, enabling computers to preemptively predict and mitigate negative emotions.
A study in the Panamanian rainforest found that larger-brained primates did not outperform smaller-brained mammals in finding fruit. The research suggests that intelligence may not be directly linked to foraging efficiency, but could be related to other factors such as episodic memory or social complexity.
Researchers at UCLA Health discovered a novel, energy-efficient mechanism of working memory that reduces metabolic cost even during sleep. The discovery is published in Nature Communications and may provide an early diagnostic for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.
Early bilingualism may protect theory of mind abilities against normal age-related declines. The research team found that early bilingualism was associated with higher gray matter volume, greater cortical thickness, and larger surface area in brain regions involved in mental state inferences and language processes.
Research highlights advances in developmental executive functions study from Latin American regions, finding both universality and cultural specificity in EFs development. This contextualized approach fosters effective pathways for supporting children's cognitive and emotional development.
Researchers found that individuals with mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) struggle with ambiguous sentences, indicating a key deficit in processing complex language. This deficit is independent of memory loss and may serve as an additional 'cognitive biomarker' for early detection.
A recent meta-analysis of 20,000 patients with Alzheimer's disease found no clinically significant improvement in cognitive or functional abilities from monoclonal antibody treatment. The studies also revealed a high risk of serious harms, including cerebral edema and death, associated with the use of these expensive medications.
A new study suggests that dopamine plays a key role in how moderate-intensity exercise improves reaction time and cognitive performance. The researchers measured the release of dopamine in the brain using a PET scanner and found that it was linked to faster reaction time during exercise.
Researchers found that a large language model chatbot demonstrated more accuracy in making diagnoses than human clinicians, especially when test results were negative. This suggests the potential for AI to serve as a useful diagnostic partner for physicians, reducing overtreatment and improving decision-making.
A study evaluated sleep tracking performance of various wearable devices against a reference system, considering user needs. Non-EEG wearables showed superior performance for healthy individuals who want to monitor sleep habits.
This study introduces Rigid-Autonomous Phase Sequences (RAPS), which may be responsible for cognitive, sensory-motor, and memory-related challenges in ASD. RAPS can lead to inflexible neural pathways causing difficulties with learning, social communication, and memory.
A new study suggests that life satisfaction has limited benefits for cognitive function in older adults experiencing health or socioeconomic challenges. High life satisfaction was associated with increased cognitive functioning among most individuals, but it was less beneficial for those with low SES, poor health, or adverse psychologi...
Researchers studied fruit flies to understand how their brains assign value to rewards, finding that expectations play a crucial role in decision-making. By observing the flies' behavior, the team pinpointed the site in the brain where these value adjustments are made, enabling them to test a theoretical framework on neural circuits.
The Open Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science (OECS) is a dynamic web reference that will equip readers with essential tools to grapple with the profound implications of cognition and intelligence in today's society. With generous funding from James S. McDonnell Foundation and the Allen Institute for AI, the first set of articles will be ...
Researchers propose a hypothesis that astrocytes, non-neuronal cells in the brain, can perform core computation as transformers, providing insights into human brain function and machine learning success. This discovery could spark future neuroscience research and help explain transformer performance across complex tasks.
A recent study at the University of Helsinki found that speech production and singing are supported by the same neural network in the brain, challenging previous notions about their separate functions. The left hemisphere plays a crucial role in both abilities, particularly in terms of singing.
Researchers found that social media algorithms prioritize 'Prestigious, Ingroup, Moral, and Emotional' (PRIME) information, which can lead to extreme political content being amplified. To address this, the study proposes increasing user awareness of algorithmic biases and introducing more diverse content in feeds.
A recent study revealed that attention plays a crucial role in shaping our conscious experience of the world. Researchers found that manipulating attention can modify an individual's ability to consciously perceive visual stimuli, highlighting the intricate relationship between attention and conscious perception. By using advanced neur...
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that child language development and language evolution share a common cognitive foundation, based on a core knowledge base. The team built a computational model that predicts word meaning extension patterns across languages and time scales, highlighting the role of visual, associative,...
Researchers propose a new mathematical neural network theory that consolidates memories to the neocortex if they improve generalization. This view contradicts the classical understanding of systems consolidation, which assumes all memories move from the hippocampus to the neocortex over time.
Scientists have identified a region of the brain where sustained visual images are retained during perception. This finding may help doctors determine whether coma patients are still aware of their surroundings and could lead to treatments for disorders of consciousness.
A study led by Dartmouth College researchers found that participants' color memory improved when stimuli were meaningful and part of real-world objects. The results demonstrate that the capacity for visual working memory of colors is more continuous and flexible than previously thought, with better recall of colors in meaningful contexts.
Researchers have developed a simulation of how people behave on roads based on cognitive theories, accurately reproducing pedestrian and driver behaviors in common scenarios. The model predicts complex underlying cognitive mechanisms that contribute to the difficulty in creating self-driving vehicles.
A computational psychological model predicts subtle behaviors in real traffic, such as hesitating before crossing and speeding up to deny pedestrians a crossing opportunity. The model accurately simulates 32 pairs of participants interacting as driver and pedestrian in a driver-pedestrian simulator.
Researchers at MIT have designed a computational model that can predict other people's emotions, including joy, gratitude, and regret. The model uses insights into human intuition, incorporating factors such as desires, expectations, and observation of actions to make predictions.
Researchers from Aarhus University conducted an online experiment showing that repeated exposure to food images can induce satiety, reducing the desire for more. The study found that participants who viewed pictures of orange M&M's 30 times chose a smaller portion than those who only saw them three times.
Researchers found that enhancing NMDAR function via increased serine racemase expression improved attention and cognitive flexibility in middle-aged rats. Upregulating serine racemase in the medial prefrontal cortex also increased glutamatergic synaptic transmission, including NMDAR activity.
A new study by University of Houston psychologist Adam Fetterman found that neighborhood apps are associated with inaccurate perceptions of higher local crime rates. The frequent use of such services by a large portion of the population suggests important implications for perceptions and behaviors related to people's neighborhoods.
A new study found evidence of a reverse 'Flynn effect' in the US, with declines in verbal reasoning, matrix reasoning, and letter/number series scores, but an increase in 3D rotation scores. The study suggests that changing values and motivation may be contributing factors.
A new study has found that increased rumination is a predictor of greater severity of suicidal ideation in young people with major depressive disorder. The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, suggests that elevated cognitive rumination is associated with lower cortical surface area and suicidal ideation.
Researchers at Reichman University have developed a new sound navigation technology that activates visual navigation areas in the brain, challenging conventional beliefs about sensory processing. This breakthrough has significant implications for cognitive training and potentially detecting Alzheimer's disease.
Numerous studies prove that multimodal enrichment enhances learning outcomes through brain region activation and computer algorithms. Researchers hope this understanding will lead to optimal learning strategies in the future.
A recent large study suggests that being divorced or single increases the risk of dementia. However, researchers found a surprising result: having children reduced the risk of dementia by 60% among unmarried people.
Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that daily moderate and vigorous physical activity is positively associated with mid-life brain power. However, replacing these activities with just 6-7 minutes of sedentary behavior negatively impacts cognitive performance. The study analyzed data from over 4,4...
Children as young as two engage in pretend play, demonstrating ability to distinguish between pretence and reality. This cognitive skill allows them to adopt different perspectives, even in the presence of others, suggesting early-stage development of social cognition.
A Japanese research group found that people with psychiatric disorders tend to hold negative self-schemas, which can renew themselves through feedback and cognitive reactivity. This self-perpetuation process can lead to the development of mental illnesses even in good environments.
Researchers studied the body ownership illusion using integrated information theory, discovering a relationship between local and global brain-body processes. This work may help explain altered states of consciousness, such as the blurring of self and non-self, leading to feelings of uneasiness.
Researchers propose that the claustrum functions as an internet router, amplifying and broadcasting signals to facilitate cognitive tasks. This theory challenges Francis Crick's idea that the claustrum is the seat of consciousness, suggesting a more distributed role in awareness.
A new theory by UMass Amherst sleep scientist Rebecca Spencer suggests that young children's brain development, not age, determines when and why they stop napping. The hippocampus, a memory area of the brain, plays a critical role in nap transitions.
Researchers found that song elements' order strongly correlates with rhythmical timing, suggesting a similar processing mechanism as humans. This discovery sheds light on the cognitive processes of songbirds and their potential for musicality.
A new study across 67 countries reveals that people who believe in COVID-19 conspiracy theories are less likely to support public health efforts, but a strong sense of morality can weaken this effect. The study suggests that appeals to moral foundations could be an effective strategy to reduce such beliefs.
Researchers from Kessler Foundation found that virtual reality (VR) technology can strengthen the effects of traditional cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training in individuals with MS. By increasing sensory input and promoting multisensory integration, VR may increase the effectiveness of these therapies.
Researchers challenge long-held assumptions about human problem-solving abilities, revealing that many people fail to adapt a sophisticated strategy. A new study suggests that individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) tend to rely on an inefficient approach, even when faced with complex problems.
A study by HBP scientists found that wakefulness, non-REM sleep, and REM sleep have complementary functions for learning: experiencing stimuli, solidifying experiences, and discovering semantic concepts. This research suggests that unusual dreams, simulated using Generative Adversarial Networks, can improve brain learning by introducin...