Week/Topic 1: Beginnings

Question 1

An information channel with a channel capacity of n bits can discriminate how many
pieces of information?

Answer 1

2n pieces of information (so that a channel with a capacity of 3 bits can
discriminate 8 items)

Question 2

In his theory of information, Claude Shannon uses which concept to measure the
elementary unit of information?

Answer 2

A Bit

Question 3

In symbolizing the sentence “John has hit the ball” as the string of symbols “NP1 +
Aux + V + NP2”, which aspect of the sentence has been revealed?

Answer 3

Its deep structure

Question 4

Which key idea in the development of cognitive science is attributable to Alan
Turing?

Answer 4

Information processing is fundamentally algorithmic.

Question 5

In Lashley’s work on explaining complex behaviors, which concept is essential?

Answer 5

Hierarchical organization

Question 6

The cross-maze experiments reported in Tolman, Ritchie, and Kalish (1946) led him
to propose which concept?

Answer 6

Cognitive map

Question 7

In the cross-maze experiments reported in Tolman, Ritchie, and Kalish (1946), why
did the rats for which the food was always in the same place learn to run the maze
more quickly?

Answer 7

Because they learned spatial information about the maze in terms of places.

Question 8

Why is behaviorism largely incompatible with the basic assumptions of cognitive
science?

Answer 8

Behaviorists cognitive science is the study of cognition and mind.study non-
psychological observable phenomena and measurable behavior