The default mode network (DMN) plays a critical role in human creativity and the generation of ideas, according to recent studies. Researchers are exploring how manipulating this network can influence creativity.
A study found that by age three, children can understand the intentions behind others' actions through the mirror neuron system. This system allows them to mimic and anticipate actions, which is crucial for social development.
This paper describes the structure-mapping engine (SME), a program for studying analogical processing . SME has been built to explore Gentner's structure-mapping theory of analogy, and provides a "tool kit" for constructing matching algorithms consistent with this theory. Its flexibility enhances cognitive simulation studies by simplifying experimentation. Furthermore, SME is very efficient, making it a useful component in machine learning systems as well . We review the structure-mapping theory and describe the design of the engine . We analyze the complexity of the algorithm, and demonstrate that most of the steps are polynomial . typically bounded by O(N). Next we demonstrate some examples of its operation taken from our cognitive simulation studies and work in machine learning. Finally, we compare SME to other analogy programs and discuss several areas for future work.
Dedre Gentner is a professor of psychology and cognitive science at Northwestern University. Her research interests include learning and thinking, analogy, similarity and metaphor, concepts and conceptual structure, language and cognition, and language acquisition.
Researchers discovered that the brain interprets negated adjectives differently than affirmative ones, exhibiting a mitigating rather than inverting effect. This finding contributes to the understanding of how the brain processes negation and other complex linguistic operations.
A detailed map of the cells and synapses in a segment of a human brain sample has been created through a collaboration between Harvard and Google. The ultimate goal is to create a full map of a human brain like this, with each synapse and other structures detailed.
Ravens parallel great apes in physical and social cognitive skills - the first large-scale assessment of common ravens compared with chimpanzees and orangutans found full-blown cognitive skills present in ravens at the age of 4 months similar to that of adult apes, including theory of mind.
