Defining Cognition

Professor Marc Hauser defines cognition as a way of processing information about the world. He includes emotion as a cognitive process.

Cognition as a word, to me, means a way of processing information that in some sense is neutral in terms of the content. So, when I think, I am being a cognitive creature. Some people make a distinction between cognition and emotion. I don’t think that is necessarily a good distinction. I think when we have emotions and feelings, like anger and fear, we’ve processed things from the environment, like we see a snake and we’re afraid, we see someone we love and we are attracted to them. In the same sense, that way all of it is cognition, it’s part of what the brain does to process information and gives us a way of behaving with the world.

cognition, define, definition, emotion, distinction, brain, anger, fear, marc, hauser,

Related Content

2251. Thinking

An overview of thinking-related content on Genes to Cognition Online.

  • ID: 2251
  • Source: G2C

2025. What is Alzheimer's disease?

Professor Kenneth Kosik defines Alzheimer's disease as a slowly progressing illness that deteriorates the brain and impairs many major cognitive functions.

  • ID: 2025
  • Source: G2C

866. Dissect-a-Face

Distinctive universal expressions have been identified for joy, sadness, anger, fear, and disgust. Most textbooks agree that these five plus surprise are common to all cultures.

  • ID: 866
  • Source: G2C

2239. Language

An overview of language-related content on Genes to Cognition Online.

  • ID: 2239
  • Source: G2C

2104. Amygdala

The amygdala is a complex structure adjacent to the hippocampus. The amygdala is involved in processing emotions, and fear–learning.

  • ID: 2104
  • Source: G2C

1087. What is Language?

Professor Marc Hauser defines language as an internal process that involves ways of manipulating symbols. It is qualitatively different to "communication."

  • ID: 1087
  • Source: G2C

1085. Philosophy of Mind

Professor Marc Hauser explains that philosophy of mind is a branch of philosophy that is concerned with the nature of consciousness.

  • ID: 1085
  • Source: G2C

2281. Anxiety - A definition

Doctor Daniel Pine defines anxiety as fear and apprehension about dangers that are not immediately present. Over time, anxiety can lead to depression.

  • ID: 2281
  • Source: G2C

1088. Language and Animals

Professor Marc Hauser discusses the differences and similarities between humans and primates in terms of language ability.

  • ID: 1088
  • Source: G2C

822. The Amygdala, the Body's Alarm Circuit

The amygdala controls autonomic responses associated with fear, arousal, and emotional stimulation and has been linked to anxiety disorder and social phobias.

  • ID: 822
  • Source: G2C