Cognitive Science
The Basic Idea
Cognitive science is an interdisciplinary field of study designed to understand how the mind functions through the scientific method. In doing so, cognitive science allows us to better understand the concept of intelligence and therefore build intelligent systems.
Cognitive science tends to view mental processes as a function of various computations, connections, and symbols. An incredibly diverse and impactful field, cognitive science has been a key facet in the development of artificial intelligence, neural networks, and mental processes. Using techniques like computational modelling, brain imaging, and behavioral experiments, cognitive scientists have offered fresh perspectives on heavily studied concepts like language, attention, perception, and memory. While key insights primarily stem from psychology, linguistics, and computer science, cognitive science also incorporates perspectives from anthropology, neuroscience, and philosophy.
Is your brain really that different from a computer?
About the Authors
Dan Pilat
Dan is a Co-Founder and Managing Director at The Decision Lab. He is a bestselling author of Intention - a book he wrote with Wiley on the mindful application of behavioral science in organizations. Dan has a background in organizational decision making, with a BComm in Decision & Information Systems from McGill University. He has worked on enterprise-level behavioral architecture at TD Securities and BMO Capital Markets, where he advised management on the implementation of systems processing billions of dollars per week. Driven by an appetite for the latest in technology, Dan created a course on business intelligence and lectured at McGill University, and has applied behavioral science to topics such as augmented and virtual reality.
Dr. Sekoul Krastev
Sekoul is a Co-Founder and Managing Director at The Decision Lab. He is a bestselling author of Intention - a book he wrote with Wiley on the mindful application of behavioral science in organizations. A decision scientist with a PhD in Decision Neuroscience from McGill University, Sekoul's work has been featured in peer-reviewed journals and has been presented at conferences around the world. Sekoul previously advised management on innovation and engagement strategy at The Boston Consulting Group as well as on online media strategy at Google. He has a deep interest in the applications of behavioral science to new technology and has published on these topics in places such as the Huffington Post and Strategy & Business.
