This book presents a theoretical critical appraisal of the Mechanistic Theory of Human Cognition (MTHC), which is one of the most popular major theories in the contemporary field of cognitive science. It analyses and evaluates whether MTHC provides a unifying account of human cognition and its explanation. The book presents a systematic investigation of the internal and external consistency of the theory, as well as a systematic comparison with other contemporary major theories in the field. In this sense, it provides a fresh look at more recent major theoretical debates in this area of scientific research and a rigorous analysis of one of its most central major theories. Rigorous theoretical work is integrated with objective consideration of relevant empirical evidence, making the discussions robust and clear. As a result, the book shows that MTHC provides a significant theoretical contribution for the field of cognitive science. The content is useful for those interested in theoretical and empirical issues concerning major theories in the contemporary field of cognitive science.
Education is the fundamental pillar upon which any human civilization rests. As a matter of fact, no civilization in any meaningful form or degree has been possible in human history that has not been built on the bulwark and edifice of education. While literacy may have been limited to the privileged few in early ancient civilizations, it was these privileged few who controlled the masses and set the tempo for meaningful progress in such civilizations; educational systems have proven to be the bedrock and foundational pillar upon which much of human accomplishment and achievement have rested, too. In spite of the naysayers, the cynics and the pessimists, education has expanded greatly in the twentieth century; while the worlds’ earliest civilizations were not western in the canonical sense of the term, there is no denying that western civilizations have pulled away strongly since then. Riding on the shoulders on ancient Greece, western intellectualism has been the bulwark upon which the superstructure of modern civilization has been built. Even as recently as the middle of the twentieth century, the rest of the world (as opposed to the west) had a lot of catching up to do. Thankfully and mercifully, a lot has changed since then. India in the 1950’s and 1960’s emphasized higher education but neglected universal primary education as evidenced by low primary school enrollments, and a high rate of dropouts. Since then, programs and schemes such as the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan or education for all programs have increased primary school enrollment considerably; India now comfortably stands on the threshold of universal adult literacy. While the quantity of education has been augmented, quality has often failed to keep pace. The tenets and the essential doctrines forming a part and parcel of the foundational pillars of pedagogy and education are antiquated and are still steeped in the western experience. What is worse is that is very little awareness on the issue of the need for change; this must be the foundation of all meaningful change, but alas, that foundation has yet to be built. In this book, we draw upon our long list of papers on the social science, particularly anthropological pedagogy and the sociology of science, and propose the direction we believe pedagogy must take in the twenty first century. This can be no one man army; we invite other scholars to contribute in eminent measure. We also believe that this i.e., a foundational assessment of the concepts of pedagogy must become one of the more important and vital movements of the twentyfirst century. This work is also at the heart of our globalization of science movement as many, if not most concepts in various fields of the social science are based on old and archaic western-centric paradigms. There is also an unnatural gap between various fields of social sciences and the non-social sciences too, just as careerism is rampant across disciplines and what we called “institutional coherentism” is lacking. Scientists say “however, recent research has shown that…”. Does that mean that old research was wrong? Why was it wrong? Was it due to the absence of data, or was it methodological error? Why do we go round and round without a meaningful long-term direction? Very little scholarship is driven by the absolute desire to do good to society. As Thomas Paine once famously stated, “ A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody”. We have theories, theories and only theories all driven by old-fashioned careerism or academic rivalry, and with limited explanatory power. All this needs to change in the twenty-first century, and practical application of knowledge emphasized. To quote C.S Lewis, “Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn.” Anand Mahindra and several other individuals have repeatedly called for a new world-class education system in India and elsewhere, but there is very little conceptual clarity on how we should go about creating one. Let a million scholars bloom! Let a million intellectuals bloom! Let a million scientists (social scientists included) bloom in different parts of the world, all in the twenty-first century! Why should we hold our tongue, and suffer in silence? Let intellectuals drive meaningful and productive change. Let better education systems form the backbone of better societies! Let there be a healthy rivalry among nations to develop better and better education systems! There is no need for only western nations to take the lead here. Those who have better ideas can indeed leapfrog everyone else. Those who think better and do better, win.
Two seminal articles by a founder of the Gestalt school of psychology, newly translated and accompanied by essays that connect his work to current research. There are few articles in science that remain relevant over a span of 100 years; Max Wertheimer's pioneering experimental studies on apparent motion and figural organization are notable exceptions. Wertheimer's 1912 account of motion perception started a revolution and established the Gestalt school of psychology. It also paved the way for further investigations of apparent motion perception, including subsequent research by Oliver Braddick, Stuart Anstis, Vilaynur Ramachandran, and others. Wertheimer's 1923 article on figural organization (known as the "dot study" for its numerous examples of dot patterns) helped define grouping as a principle of figure-ground perception. This book provides contemporary readers and researchers with Wertheimer's two pivotal articles, newly translated into English and each accompanied by a synopsis, and two essays on apparent motion and figural organization that describe the long-term impact of Wertheimer's work. The translation of the original German into readable English prose allows English-language readers for the first time to appreciate Wertheimer's visionary ideas. The accompanying essays tie Wertheimer's phenomenological descriptions to the underlying neuronal mechanisms, bridging the years between the articles' first publication and modern research.
Unlike the bulk majority of publications on philosophy of science and research ethics, which are authored by professional philosophers and intended for philosophers, this book has been written by a research practitioner and intended for research practitioners. It is distinctive by its integrative approach to methodological and ethical issues related to research practice, with special emphasis of mathematical modelling and measurement, as well as by attempted application of engineering design methodology to moral decision making. It is also distinctive by more than 200 real-world examples drawn from various domains of science and technology. It is neither a philosophical treaty nor a quick-reference guide. It is intended to encourage young researchers, especially Ph.D. students, to deeper philosophical reflection over research practice. They are not expected to have any philosophical background, but encouraged to consult indicated sources of primary information and academic textbooks containing syntheses of information from primary sources. This book can be a teaching aid for students attending classes aimed at identification of methodological and ethical issues related to technoscientific research, followed by introduction to the methodology of analysing dilemmas arising in this context.
Cognition, mind, counseling psychology, lesson plans, learning styles, and Vygotsky are just a few of the many subjects discussed in this exciting work. Educators, students, counselors, parents, and others will find new understanding as they read and browse. How does the immigrant experience affect student outcomes? What are the effects of poverty on standardized testing? How can a teacher or parent develop study skills in the special needs learner? What is the effect of the school environment on students? What are the larger issues at work in educating students of diverse races, cultures, and classes. This work, a rethinking of school psychology, will be an essential resource for anyone who is interested in teaching and learning. It combines effective, traditional knowledge with contemporary insights into the nature of today's schools and students.
While the philosophical study of mind has always required philosophers to attend to the scientific developments of their day, from the twentieth century onwards it has been especially influenced and informed by psychology, neuroscience, and computer science. Philosophy of Mind in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries provides an outstanding survey of the most prominent themes in twentieth-century and contemporary philosophy of mind. It also looks to the future, offering cautious predictions about developments in the field in the years to come. Following an introduction by Amy Kind, twelve specially commissioned chapters by an international team of contributors discuss key topics, thinkers, and debates, including: the phenomenological tradition, the mind–body problem, theories of consciousness, theories of perception, theories of personal identity, mental causation, intentionality, Wittgenstein and his legacy, cognitive science, and future directions for philosophy of mind. Essential reading for students and researchers in philosophy of mind and philosophy of psychology, Philosophy of Mind in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries is also a valuable resource for those in related disciplines such as psychology and cognitive science.
Gain fresh insights for teaching, learning, and assessing knowledge of critical science concepts through the exploration of research-based practices for science education.
The first fully comprehensive review of theory, research and practice in physical education to be published in over a decade, this handbook represents an essential, evidence-based guide for all students, researchers and practitioners working in PE. Showcasing the latest research and theoretical work, it offers important insights into effective curriculum management, student learning, teaching and teacher development across a variety of learning environments. This handbook not only examines the methods, influences and contexts of physical education in schools, but also discusses the implications for professional practice. It includes both the traditional and the transformative, spanning physical education pedagogies from the local to the international. It also explores key questions and analysis techniques used in PE research, illuminating the links between theory and practice. Its nine sections cover a wide range of topics including: curriculum theory, development, policy and reform transformative pedagogies and adapted physical activity educating teachers and analysing teaching the role of student and teacher cognition achievement motivation. Offering an unprecedented wealth of material, the Routledge Handbook of Physical Education Pedagogies is an essential reference for any undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme in physical education or sports coaching, and any teacher training course with a physical education element.
