Introduction to Cognitive Science

Entering the world of cognitive science, where the goal is nothing less than simulating the precise workings of the human brain.

Professor Polk gives a tour of the anatomy of the brain; In addition to examining structures, their location inside the brain and learning about their function.

Exploring the cognitive process of human language, one of the most powerful tools; Discovering some of the key features of natural languages and how humans acquire them.

Learning how physician Paul Broca's work set the foundation for understanding that an injury in one brain region does not necessarily undermine cognitive function in other areas.

Artificial neural networks play a central role in cognitive science; Learning how these networks simulate the excitatory and inhibitory processing of real neurons.

Learning about the violation-of-expectation paradigm that allows researchers to study infant cognition with often surprising results.