Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Perspectives on Neuroscience
Published on: July 31, 2007
What Should Cognitive Science Look Like? Neither a Tree Nor Physics
1Learning Research and Development Center, University of Pittsburgh.
Abstract:
While pointing out important features of cognitive science, Núñez et al. (2019) also argue prematurely for the end of cognitive science. I discuss problematic analytic features in the application of hierarchical cluster analysis to journal citation data. On the conceptual side, I argue that the research programs framework of Lakatos may not be so wisely applied to cognitive science. Further, the diversity of structure in cognitive science departments may represent a rational, strategic adaptation by an interdisciplinary department to cognitive and other resource challenges rather than the sign of low progress on a discipline.
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