Modularity

Question 1

Modest modularity (2)

Answer 1

A) Mind has a dual core: perception & cognition

B) Only perception (& language) is modular

Question 2

Fodor-modules (9)

Answer 2

Domain-specific

Mandatory

Inaccessible

Fast

Encapsulated

Shallow

Localizable

Dissociable

Innate

Question 3

Encapsulated (2)

Answer 3

A) Not having access to other parts of the mind

B) E: M 1 -> | m 2 | <- central system

Question 4

Module (2)

Answer 4

A) Functional cognitive mechanism

B) Transforms inputs into outputs

Question 5

Inaccessible (2)

Answer 5

A) Central system does not have access to modules

B) M1 -> | central system | <- m2

Question 6

Mandatory

Answer 6

Module is not under conscious control

Question 7

Fast

Answer 7

Less than 0.5s to process info

Question 8

Shallow

Answer 8

Cheap, requires little energy

Question 9

Dissociable

Answer 9

Dysfunction of a module does not interfere with others functioning

Question 10

Localizable

Answer 10

Mental functions have a specific location in the brain

Question 11

Domain-specific

Answer 11

Each module processes info within 1 specific domain (= set of relevant stimuli that can be processed)

Question 12

Innate

Answer 12

Modules develop according to an innate structure that yields the same results in most individuals (E.g. capacity of learning)

Question 13

Phoneme restoration effect (3)

Answer 13

A) Brain fills gaps in barely audible sentence

B) Expectation influences brain function

C) Therefore: Language/acoustic perception is not encapsulated

Question 14

Visual illusions (3)

Answer 14

A) Depend on age & culture

B) Therefore: not encapsulated & innate

C) But: synchronic vs diachronic

Question 15

Holism (2)

Answer 15

A) Central systems must have access to modules, they require a flow of info

B) Therefore: modules cannot be encapsulated

Question 16

Massive modularity

Answer 16

All mental systems are modular

Question 17

Evolutionary psychology (3)

Answer 17

A) Human mind needs to solve adaptive problems to survive

B) Solving adaptive problems requires modularity: different problems require different solving mechanisms

C) Therefore: the mind is massively modular

Question 18

Natural selection (4)

Answer 18

A) There is scarcity (some individuals die before reproduction)

B) There is variation (some variations are more successful at survival & reproduction)

C) Variation is hereditary

D) Therefore: adaptations arise (the more successful individuals pass on their adaptive advantages)

Question 19

Poverty of stimulus (2)

Answer 19

A) Children learn to speak very quickly & with few stimuli

B) Therefore: they must have some innate language acquisition device

Question 20

Frame problem (3)

Answer 20

A) Reacting rapidly & efficiently in dangerous situations requires very specialized info processing i.e. modularity

B) But: what if it favors only some mental capacities to be modular?

C) But: does not necessitate encapsulation