A Laboratory for Advanced Cognitive Modeling

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A laboratory is being established for advanced cognitive modeling. In recent years, large-scale computer models have revolutionized the techniques of theory construction in cognitive science. The undergraduate who has been exposed only to traditional qualitative conceptual models and tractable mathematical or formal models can no longer be said to know how contemporary research in cognitive science is done. Computer modeling has been greatly accelerated by the introduction of powerful computer workstations and associated software. The new laboratory has a network of four workstations that have enough computing power and memory capacity to handle both large scale symbolic models, such as rule-based problem solving models and natural language processing models, and large-scale connectionist or neural network models for cognitive processes, such as word recognition and low-level vision. The laboratory is stocked with a number of running models and tools for model development, which are employed in two advanced courses on cognitive modeling, and intermediate course in experimental cognitive psychology, and in undergraduate thesis projects. The models are also used for demonstrations throughout the cognitive science curriculum. The college will contribute an amount equal to the award.