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Exploring the Functional Advantages of Spatial and Visual Cognition From an Architectural Perspective
Author(s) -
Lathrop Scott D.,
Wintermute Samuel,
Laird John E.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
topics in cognitive science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.191
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1756-8765
pISSN - 1756-8757
DOI - 10.1111/j.1756-8765.2010.01130.x
Subject(s) - computer science , cognitive architecture , perspective (graphical) , cognitive science , cognition , architecture , spatial cognition , human–computer interaction , key (lock) , artificial intelligence , psychology , neuroscience , art , computer security , visual arts
We present a general cognitive architecture that tightly integrates symbolic, spatial, and visual representations. A key means to achieving this integration is allowing cognition to move freely between these modes, using mental imagery. The specific components and their integration are motivated by results from psychology, as well as the need for developing a functional and efficient implementation. We discuss functional benefits that result from the combination of multiple content‐based representations and the specialized processing units associated with them. Instantiating this theory, we then discuss the architectural components and processes, and illustrate the resulting functional advantages in two spatially and visually rich domains. The theory is then compared to other prominent approaches in the area.