After phrenology: Time for a paradigm shift in cognitive science
Paul Benjamin Badcock1, Annemie Ploeger2, Nicholas Brian Allen3
1Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences,The University of Melbourne,Melbourne,Australia,3010.pbadcock@unimelb.edu.au.
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|August 27, 2016
Summary
Anderson's review calls for cognitive science reform, but overlooks novel predictive coding and evolutionary psychology approaches. His proposed changes may not be entirely new, despite the literature consolidation.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy of Mind
Background:
- A comprehensive literature review by Anderson (2014) advocates for significant shifts in cognitive science.
- The review synthesizes existing research to propose a new framework for understanding cognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate Anderson's (2014) proposed reforms in cognitive science.
- To identify limitations and omissions in Anderson's review, particularly regarding emerging theoretical frameworks.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and critical analysis.
- Comparative assessment of Anderson's proposals against established and emerging theories in cognitive science.
- Examination of the integration of predictive coding and evolutionary psychology.
Main Results:
- Anderson's proposed changes, while consolidating literature, may not represent substantial novelty.
- The review overlooks predictive coding frameworks, which challenge the presented perspective on brain function.
- Misrepresentation of evolutionary psychology potentially undervalues a complementary theoretical paradigm.
Conclusions:
- Anderson's review, despite its scope, has limitations in its novelty and scope.
- Incorporating predictive coding and a more accurate view of evolutionary psychology could enrich the proposed cognitive science framework.
- Further integration of diverse theoretical approaches is necessary for advancing cognitive science.
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