{"title":"The ongoing urgency of diversity science","authors":"Jordan G. Starck,Anmol Gupta","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2026.09.011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2026.09.011","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":"2 1-2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":19.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149020513","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":"Cognitive maps as a medium for thought","authors":"Sami R. Yousif,Russell A. Epstein","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2026.07.010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2026.07.010","url":null,"abstract":"Cognitive maps are essential for navigation, but to what extent are they involved in thinking more broadly? In this opinion article, we examine whether cognitive maps constitute a genuine vehicle for thought and how they relate to the notion of a language of thought. Integrating work from philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience, we suggest that map-like representations offer a distinct, flexible medium for encoding information and exhibit compositionality in both spatial and nonspatial domains. We then consider how dynamic neural mechanisms—replay, theta sequences, and vector computation—may transform map-based representations into sequential routelike formats that interface with cortical systems supporting propositional thinking. Cognitive maps may be complementary to symbolic cognition, jointly enabling flexible human reasoning.","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":19.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148821558","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":"The hidden weight of the body","authors":"Matthew R. Longo, Denise Cadete, Elisa R. Ferrè","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2026.07.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2026.07.005","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":19.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148755023","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}
Vladimir M. Sloutsky, Qianqian Wan, Brandon M. Turner
{"title":"Working memory, exploration, and cognitive development","authors":"Vladimir M. Sloutsky, Qianqian Wan, Brandon M. Turner","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2026.07.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2026.07.007","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":"73 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":19.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148755033","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}
Alexander Schakowski, Dominik Deffner, Marwa M. Kavelaars, Lou M. Haux, Kiri Kuroda, Félicie Dhellemmes, Ralf H.J.M. Kurvers
{"title":"Toward a psychology of real-life decision-making","authors":"Alexander Schakowski, Dominik Deffner, Marwa M. Kavelaars, Lou M. Haux, Kiri Kuroda, Félicie Dhellemmes, Ralf H.J.M. Kurvers","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2026.07.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2026.07.003","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":19.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148715305","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}
César F. Lima,Francesca Talamini,E. Glenn Schellenberg
{"title":"Rethinking musicians as a model for plasticity and transfer","authors":"César F. Lima,Francesca Talamini,E. Glenn Schellenberg","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2026.07.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2026.07.006","url":null,"abstract":"Differences between musicians and nonmusicians are routinely attributed to training-induced plasticity and transfer, even though pre-existing factors provide equally plausible explanations. We propose repositioning correlational research: not to infer training effects, but to constrain causal accounts, reveal the neurocognitive organization of abilities, guide experimental studies, and integrate with genetically informed designs.","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":19.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148692864","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}
Victoria Bosch,Rowan P. Sommers,Adrien Doerig,Tim C. Kietzmann
{"title":"The Umwelt Representation Hypothesis: rethinking Universality","authors":"Victoria Bosch,Rowan P. Sommers,Adrien Doerig,Tim C. Kietzmann","doi":"10.1016/j.tics.2026.07.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2026.07.004","url":null,"abstract":"Recent studies reveal striking representational alignment between artificial neural networks (ANNs) and biological brains, leading to proposals that all sufficiently capable systems converge on universal representations of reality. We argue that this claim of Universality is premature. We introduce the Umwelt Representation Hypothesis, which proposes that alignment arises not from convergence toward a single global optimum but from overlap in the ecological constraints under which systems develop. We review empirical evidence showing that representational differences between species, individuals, and ANNs are systematic and adaptive, which is difficult to reconcile with Universality. Finally, we reframe ANN model comparison as a method for mapping clusters of alignment in the ecological constraint space rather than as a search for a single optimal world model.","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":19.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148692863","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":"Advisory Board and Contents","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/s1364-6613(26)00166-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/s1364-6613(26)00166-x","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49417,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cognitive Sciences","volume":"18 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":19.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148691272","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}