Perception Since the rise of experimental psychology in the 19th Century, psychology's understanding of perception has progressed by combining a variety of techniques.[3] Psychophysics quantitatively describes the relationships between the physical qualities of the sensory input and perception.[5] Sensory neuroscience studies the brain mechanisms underlying perception. Perceptual systems can also be studied computationally, in terms of the information they process. Perceptual issues in philosophy include the extent to which sensory qualities such as sound, smell or color exist in objective reality rather than in the mind of the perceiver.[3] The perceptual systems of the brain enable individuals to see the world around them as stable, even though the sensory information is typically incomplete and rapidly varying. Human and animal brains are structured in a modular way, with different areas processing different kinds of sensory information. Process and terminology[edit] Perception and reality[edit]
Meaning (philosophy) Philosophical conception of meaning In philosophy—more specifically, in its sub-fields semantics, semiotics, philosophy of language, metaphysics, and metasemantics—meaning "is a relationship between two sorts of things: signs and the kinds of things they intend, express, or signify".[1] The types of meanings vary according to the types of the thing that is being represented. There are: the things, which might have meaning;things that are also signs of other things, and therefore are always meaningful (i.e., natural signs of the physical world and ideas within the mind);things that are necessarily meaningful, such as words and nonverbal symbols. The major contemporary positions of meaning come under the following partial definitions of meaning: Substantive theories of meaning [edit] Correspondence theory For coherence theories in general, the assessment of meaning and truth requires a proper fit of elements within a whole system. Constructivist theory Other truth theories of meaning W.
Thought Cognitive process independent of the senses In their most common sense, the terms thought and thinking refer to conscious cognitive processes that can happen independently of sensory stimulation. Their most paradigmatic forms are judging, reasoning, concept formation, problem solving, and deliberation. But other mental processes, like considering an idea, memory, or imagination, are also often included. These processes can happen internally independent of the sensory organs, unlike perception. But when understood in the widest sense, any mental event may be understood as a form of thinking, including perception and unconscious mental processes. Various types of thinking are discussed in the academic literature. Definition[edit] The word thought comes from Old English þoht, or geþoht, from the stem of þencan "to conceive of in the mind, consider".[21] Theories of thinking[edit] Various theories of thinking have been proposed.[22] They aim to capture the characteristic features of thinking.
Memory and retention in learning Model of the Memory Process Human memory is the process in which information and material is encoded, stored and retrieved in the brain.[1] Memory is a property of the central nervous system, with three different classifications: short-term, long-term and sensory memory.[2] The three types of memory have specific, different functions but each are equally important for memory processes. Sensory information is transformed and encoded in a certain way in the brain, which forms a memory representation.[3] This unique coding of information creates a memory.[3] Memory and retention are linked because any retained information is kept in human memory stores, therefore without human memory processes, retention of material would not be possible.[4] In addition, memory and the process of learning are also closely connected. Types of memory[edit] Long-term[edit] Types of Long-term Memory Short-term[edit] Short-term memory is responsible for retaining and processing information very temporarily.
Mental process A specific instance of engaging in a cognitive process is a mental event. The event of perceiving something is, of course, different from the entire process, or capacity of perception—one's ability to perceive things. In other words, an instance of perceiving is different from the ability that makes those instances possible. See also[edit] External links[edit] Mental Processes at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) Models of consciousness Aspect of consciousness research Models of consciousness are used to illustrate and aid in understanding and explaining distinctive aspects of consciousness. Sometimes the models are labeled theories of consciousness. Anil Seth defines such models as those that relate brain phenomena such as fast irregular electrical activity and widespread brain activation to properties of consciousness such as qualia. Seth allows for different types of models including mathematical, logical, verbal and conceptual models.[1][2] Neural correlates of consciousness [edit] The Neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) formalism is used as a major step towards explaining consciousness. Dehaene–Changeux model The Dehaene–Changeux model (DCM), also known as the global neuronal workspace or the global cognitive workspace model is a computer model of the neural correlates of consciousness programmed as a neural network. Electromagnetic theories of consciousness Orchestrated objective reduction Multiple drafts model
Imagination Creative ability Imagination is the production of sensations, feelings and thoughts informing oneself.[1] These experiences can be re-creations of past experiences, such as vivid memories with imagined changes, or completely invented and possibly fantastic scenes.[2] Imagination helps apply knowledge to solve problems and is fundamental to integrating experience and the learning process.[3][4][5] Imagination is the process of developing theories and ideas based on the functioning of the mind through a creative division. Drawing from actual perceptions, imagination employs intricate conditional processes that engage both semantic and episodic memory to generate new or refined ideas.[6] This part of the mind helps develop better and easier ways to accomplish tasks, whether old or new. The English word "imagination" originates from the Latin term "imaginatio," which is the standard Latin translation of the Greek term "phantasia." The Latin term also translates to "mental image" or "fancy."
Noumenon Object or event that exists independently of the senses Etymology[edit] The Greek word νοούμενoν, nooúmenon (plural νοούμενα, nooúmena) is the neuter middle-passive present participle of νοεῖν, noeîn, 'to think, to mean', which in turn originates from the word νοῦς, noûs, an Attic contracted form of νόος, nóos, 'perception, understanding, mind'.[a][4][5] A rough equivalent in English would be "that which is thought", or "the object of an act of thought". Historical predecessors[edit] Regarding the equivalent concepts in Plato, Ted Honderich writes: "Platonic Ideas and Forms are noumena, and phenomena are things displaying themselves to the senses... Kantian noumena[edit] Overview[edit] As expressed in Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, human understanding is structured by "concepts of the understanding" or pure categories of understanding, found prior to experience in the mind and which make outer experiences possible as counterpart to the rational faculties of the mind.[7][8] See also[edit]
Cognitive science Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the mind and its processes.[1] It examines what cognition is, what it does and how it works. It includes research on intelligence and behavior, especially focusing on how information is represented, processed, and transformed (in faculties such as perception, language, memory, reasoning, and emotion) within nervous systems (human or other animal) and machines (e.g. computers). Cognitive science consists of multiple research disciplines, including psychology, artificial intelligence, philosophy, neuroscience, linguistics, and anthropology.[2] It spans many levels of analysis, from low-level learning and decision mechanisms to high-level logic and planning; from neural circuitry to modular brain organization. The fundamental concept of cognitive science is "that thinking can best be understood in terms of representational structures in the mind and computational procedures that operate on those structures Principles[edit] "...
Point of view (philosophy) Concept of personal perspective in philosophy Propositional attitudes [edit] Location and access Anekantavada – Jain doctrine of many-sidednessParadigm – Set of distinct concepts or thought patternsPerspectivism – Philosophical principle that perspectives and epistemology are always linkedReality tunnel – Theory of personal perceptionUmwelt – Biological foundations central to the study of communication and significationWorldview – Fundamental cognitive orientation of an individual or societyValue system – Personal value, basis for ethical actionPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets