PSYCHOLOGY 354 FINAL EXAM

Dr. Michael R.W. Dawson

April 22, 1999

(2 hour exam)

Part I: Choose any TEN of the following terms, and write a short (2-3 sentence) definition for each. The definition should indicate what the term means, and should also indicate why the term is important to cognitive science. Remember, ONLY 10 DEFINITIONS are required. Each definition is marked out of 3 points.

Informational Encapsulation	Motion Correspondence Problem	Cognitive Penetrability
Serial Position Curve	TOTE Unit	Mental Model
Natural Constraint	Covariance Theory	Primitive
Bonini’s Paradox	Map Scanning Task	Broca’s Aphasia

Part II: Choose any ONE of the following questions, and write a short essay (3-4 pages) to answer it. Make sure that your answer is clear and concise, and also make sure that you deal with the question directly. Your answer will be marked out of 35 points.

1. Some researchers might argue that the defining characteristic of cognitive science is its functionalist nature. Describe the ways in which cognitive science is functionalist, why this kind of functionalism makes sense, and the methodological implications of adopting functionalism. What kinds of problems does functionalist cognitive science encounter, and how are these problems dealt with?

2. Many of the main debates in cognitive science center around the notion of the nature of mental primitives or "the language of thought". Give an example of such a debate, and discuss how cognitive scientists attempt to resolve such debates.

3. One of the central problems faced by a variety of cognitive scientists is "the problem of underdetermination". What is this kind of problem? Why is it central to cognitive science? Illustrate your answer with TWO examples