Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 3, 2026
06:42
Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
Published on: September 28, 2018
12.1K
Encodingism is not just a bad metaphor
Robert Mirski1,2, Mark H Bickhard2
1The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, 20-950Lublin, Polandrobertmirski@kul.lublin.plhttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert_Mirski.
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|November 29, 2019
Summary
The coding metaphor in neuroscience, termed "encodingism," is problematic for understanding cognition. An action-based alternative offers a more effective framework for cognitive models.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Philosophy of Mind
Background:
- The coding metaphor is prevalent in neuroscience, likening neural processes to digital information encoding.
- This metaphor, termed "encodingism," has faced criticism for its limitations in explaining complex cognitive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the pervasive "encodingism" metaphor in cognitive science and neuroscience.
- To highlight the detrimental effects of this metaphor on cognitive models.
- To introduce and elaborate on an action-based alternative framework.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of the coding metaphor in cognitive science.
- Critique of "encodingism" based on its implications for understanding cognition.
- Elaboration of Brette's action-based alternative framework.
Main Results:
- The "encodingism" perspective presents significant challenges and limitations in accurately modeling cognition.
- The coding metaphor can be pernicious, hindering a deeper understanding of cognitive processes.
- An action-based framework provides a viable and potentially more accurate alternative.
Conclusions:
- The "encodingism" metaphor should be critically examined and potentially abandoned in favor of more dynamic, action-based approaches.
- Adopting an action-based perspective can lead to more robust and insightful models of cognition.
- Further research should explore the implications of action-based frameworks in neuroscience.
Related Concept Videos
02:16Stereotype Content Model
15.3K
The Stereotype Content Model (SCM) was first proposed by Susan Fiske and her colleagues (Fiske, Cuddy, Glick & Xu, 2002; see also Fiske, 2012 and Fiske, 2017). The SCM specifies that when someone encounters a new group, they will stereotype them based on two metrics: warmth—or that group’s perceived intent, and how likely they are to provide help or inflict harm—and competence—or their ability to carry out that objective. Depending on the warmth-competence...
15.3K
01:23Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective
280
In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
280
01:25Motivational Bias
288
Cognitive bias results from limitations in thinking and information processing, leading to systematic errors in judgment. Conversely, motivational bias stems from personal desires or emotions, causing distortions in perception to align with self-interest. Motivational bias influences how individuals perceive and attribute causes to events, often shaped by personal needs, goals, and self-esteem preservation. This bias can distort judgment, leading to inaccurate assessments of success, failure,...
288
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
94.7K
Humans are very diverse and although we share many similarities, we also have many differences. The social groups we belong to help form our identities (Tajfel, 1974). These differences may be difficult for some people to reconcile, which may lead to prejudice toward people who are different. Prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely on one’s membership in a particular social group (Allport, 1954; Brown, 2010). Prejudice is common against people who...
94.7K
01:01Group Polarization
38.3K
Group polarization is the strengthening of an original group attitude following the discussion of views within a group (Teger & Pruitt, 1967). That is, if a group initially favors a viewpoint, after discussion the group consensus is likely a stronger endorsement of the viewpoint. Conversely, if the group was initially opposed to a viewpoint, group discussion would likely lead to stronger opposition.
38.3K
01:17Cognitivism
2.6K
Cognitive psychology emerged as a significant field in the mid-20th century. It focused on understanding humans' internal mental processes. This approach emphasizes how people perceive, remember, think, and solve problems—elements critical to human cognition.
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process...
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process...
2.6K