{"title":"Analogies for modeling belief dynamics.","authors":"Henrik Olsson, Mirta Galesic","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.07.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.07.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Belief dynamics has an important role in shaping our responses to natural and societal phenomena, ranging from climate change and pandemics to immigration and conflicts. Researchers often base their models of belief dynamics on analogies to other systems and processes, such as epidemics or ferromagnetism. Similar to other analogies, analogies for belief dynamics can help scientists notice and study properties of belief systems that they would not have noticed otherwise (conceptual mileage). However, forgetting the origins of an analogy may lead to some less appropriate inferences about belief dynamics (conceptual baggage). Here, we review various analogies for modeling belief dynamics, discuss their mileage and baggage, and offer recommendations for using analogies in model development.</p>","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141789622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"To test the boundaries of consciousness, study animals.","authors":"Simon A B Brown, Elizabeth S Paul, Jonathan Birch","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.06.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.06.003","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142047376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
William A Phillips, Talis Bachmann, Michael W Spratling, Lars Muckli, Lucy S Petro, Timothy Zolnik
{"title":"Cellular psychology: relating cognition to context-sensitive pyramidal cells.","authors":"William A Phillips, Talis Bachmann, Michael W Spratling, Lars Muckli, Lucy S Petro, Timothy Zolnik","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.09.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2024.09.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>'Cellular psychology' is a new field of inquiry that studies dendritic mechanisms for adapting mental events to the current context, thus increasing their coherence, flexibility, effectiveness, and comprehensibility. Apical dendrites of neocortical pyramidal cells have a crucial role in cognition - those dendrites receive input from diverse sources, including feedback, and can amplify the cell's feedforward transmission if relevant in that context. Specialized subsets of inhibitory interneurons regulate this cooperative context-sensitive processing by increasing or decreasing amplification. Apical input has different effects on cellular output depending on whether we are awake, deeply asleep, or dreaming. Furthermore, wakeful thought and imagery may depend on apical input. High-resolution neuroimaging in humans supports and complements evidence on these cellular mechanisms from other mammals.</p>","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142367186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Forgetting unwanted memories in sleep.","authors":"Scott A Cairney, Aidan J Horner","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.07.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.07.011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Memories are sometimes best forgotten, but how do our brains weaken unwanted details of the past? We propose a theoretical framework in which memory reactivation during sleep supports adaptive forgetting. This mnemonic rebalancing underpins the affective benefits of sleep by ensuring that our memories remain aligned with our emotional goals.</p>","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142019306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Tracking dynamic social impressions from multidimensional voice representation.","authors":"Xiaoming Jiang, Marc D Pell","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.08.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.08.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent research by Lavan et al. explores how individuals form complex impressions from voices. Using electroencephalography and behavioral measures, the study identifies distinct time courses for discerning traits, with early acoustic processing preceding higher-order perception. These findings shed light on the temporal dynamics of voice-based person perception and its neural underpinnings.</p>","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142299478","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tim Bayne, Anil Seth, Marcello Massimini, Joshua Shepherd, Axel Cleeremans, Stephen M Fleming, Rafael Malach, Jason B Mattingley, David K Menon, Adrian M Owen, Megan A K Peters, Adeel Razi, Liad Mudrik
{"title":"Animals and the iterative natural kind strategy.","authors":"Tim Bayne, Anil Seth, Marcello Massimini, Joshua Shepherd, Axel Cleeremans, Stephen M Fleming, Rafael Malach, Jason B Mattingley, David K Menon, Adrian M Owen, Megan A K Peters, Adeel Razi, Liad Mudrik","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.07.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.07.009","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142047375","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nathan T T Lau, Daniel Ansari, H Moriah Sokolowski
{"title":"Unraveling the interplay between math anxiety and math achievement.","authors":"Nathan T T Lau, Daniel Ansari, H Moriah Sokolowski","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.07.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.07.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A robust association exists between math anxiety and math achievement, with higher levels of anxiety correlating with lower achievement. Understanding this relationship is crucial due to the importance of math proficiency at individual and societal levels. In this review, we explore two prominent theories: Reduced Competency Theory, which suggests that initial low math achievement leads to math anxiety, and Processing Efficiency Theory, which suggests that math anxiety impairs performance by diverting cognitive resources. While these theories are supported by empirical evidence, they do not fully explain the mediators linking math anxiety and achievement. We propose 'math avoidance' as a critical mediator, suggesting that avoidance behaviors, formed through conditioning, create a feedback loop that exacerbates math anxiety and reduces proficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141989337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Counterfactual simulation in causal cognition.","authors":"Tobias Gerstenberg","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.04.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.04.012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>How do people make causal judgments and assign responsibility? In this review article, I argue that counterfactual simulations are key. To simulate counterfactuals, we need three ingredients: a generative mental model of the world, the ability to perform interventions on that model, and the capacity to simulate the consequences of these interventions. The counterfactual simulation model (CSM) uses these ingredients to capture people's intuitive understanding of the physical and social world. In the physical domain, the CSM predicts people's causal judgments about dynamic collision events, complex situations that involve multiple causes, omissions as causes, and causes that sustain physical stability. In the social domain, the CSM predicts responsibility judgments in helping and hindering scenarios.</p>","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141082814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrew D Vigotsky, Gian Domenico Iannetti, A Vania Apkarian
{"title":"Mental state decoders: game-changers or wishful thinking?","authors":"Andrew D Vigotsky, Gian Domenico Iannetti, A Vania Apkarian","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.06.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.06.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Decoding mental and perceptual states using fMRI has become increasingly popular over the past two decades, with numerous highly-cited studies published in high-profile journals. Nevertheless, what have we learned from these decoders? In this opinion, we argue that fMRI-based decoders are not neurophysiologically informative and are not, and likely cannot be, applicable to real-world decision-making. The former point stems from the fact that decoding models cannot disentangle neural mechanisms from their epiphenomena. The latter point stems from both logical and ethical constraints. Constructing decoders requires precious time and resources that should instead be directed toward scientific endeavors more likely to yield meaningful scientific progress.</p>","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141591850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Developing language in a digital world.","authors":"Sarah C Kucker","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.08.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tics.2024.08.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Young children's screen time is increasing, raising concerns about its negative impact on language development, particularly vocabulary. However, digital media is used in a variety of ways, which likely differentially impact language development. Instead of asking 'how much' screen time, the focus should be on how digital media is used.</p>","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11446642/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142057073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}