Fall 2008

Mathematical Modeling of Cognition

Seminar Description:

 

Formal Modeling is an essential research tool in cognitive psychology and cognitive science. In this seminar we shall

discuss and critically evaluate a variety of key formal models and modeling approaches to cognition (e.g., algebraic,

geometric, analytic, qualitative, statistical, probabilistic, computational, connectionist, dynamical, multi-agent,

evolutionary, structural, process, and robotic). We shall do this with three goals in mind: 1) to become aware of the

wide range of modeling techniques at our disposal, 2) to achieve a basic understanding of these techniques and the

modeling process in general, and 3) to get us to start thinking strategically and analytically about how to construct an

effective formal model (i.e., one that predicts and explains our empirical results). Discussions will assume little or no

previous modeling background.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing and a passion for scientific discovery!

 

Requirements:

Your grade will be determined by:

    * a) class participation (33%)

    * b) a class presentation on an assigned paper (33%)

    * c) a modeling proposal for empirical work that you are familiar with (34%)

Advanced Graduate Seminar: