The Brain-Shaped Mind : What the Brain Can Tell Us About the Mind

Will brain scientists ever be able to read our minds? Why are some things harder to remember than others? Based on recent brain research and neural network modelling, The Brain-Shaped Mind addresses these, and other, questions, and provides a clear account of how the structure of the brain influences the workings of the mind. Neuroscientists are now learning about our minds by examining how the neurones in the brain are connected with one another and the surrounding environment. This book explores how neural networks enable us to recognise objects and learn new things, and what happens when things go wrong. The reader is taken on a fascinating journey into what is arguably one of the most complicated and remarkable aspects of our lives. Half-Title 3 Title 5 Copyright 6 Contents 7 Preface 8 Figure permissions and acknowledgments 10 1 Introduction 11 How are the mind and the brain related? 12 How are connectionist explanations different from other explanations of mental processes? 13 Is the mind in any way like the Internet? 15 What about consciousness? 17 What about the emotions? 17 What questions does this book try to answer? 18 2 What the brain cannot tell us about the mind 22 Dualists and monists 23 The difference between process and content 23 Token—token identity 24 Why no brain-scanning machine will ever be able to read minds 25 The detailed structure of everyone’s brain is different 28 But everyone's brain functions similarly 29 3 How neurons form networks 31 How do these modules work? 31 How do neurons interact? 33 How are neural networks formed? 36 How are the modules connected? 37 The connections between the neurons keep changing 38 4 Theories and models of how the mind functions 40 Computer models 41 Reading words 43 Semantic network theories 45 Labeled links and nodes 47 5 What are connectionist networks? 50 Transforming semantic networks into connectionist networks 50 Representing concepts by whole networks 53 Representing concepts by patterns of activity 53 Different kinds of networks 54 Connections between the networks 55 Two-way connections between the networks 56 Cooperation among the networks 56 Overlapping representations 58 6 How our networks learn 64 From random to structured neural activity 65 Learning to say “dog” 65 Classifying things in the same category 68 Classifying things in different categories 69 How generalization works 71 How differentiation works 72 When is learning satisfying and effective? 73 7 Connecting the networks: how different things are related 76 Fact networks 77 Distinguishing dogs from wolves 78 Linguistic and emotional associations 80 Representing family relationships 82 8 Evidence for connectionist models 85 Experimental evidence 85 Analyzing two-dimensional scenes 86 Artificial intelligence and “natural” simulations 87 A computer learns to talk 87 A computer learns the past tense 89 A computer prefers words 92 Evidence from the physiology of smell 95 9 Two different types of memory 97 Differences between the two types of memory 97 A connectionist model of temporary memory 99 From temporary to permanent memory 101 From permanent to temporary memory 103 10 Coping with disaster 105 What do strokes do to our networks? 105 Can stroke damage be repaired? 108 How is temporary memory different? 109 What sort of damage occurs in traffic accidents? 111 What happens in Alzheimer’s disease? 113 Can anything be done about Alzheimer’s disease? 115 11 Practical implications 118 How to study more efficiently 118 How to teach more effciently 120 How to overcome unhealthy patterns 122 Conclusion 125 12 Criticism of connectionist theory 126 The representationalists’ criticism 126 Answering the representationalists’ criticism 127 The claim that connectionism is unscientific 129 Dewdney’s guidelines for good science 130 Dewdney’s guidelines for bad science 133 Dewdney’s specific criticisms of connectionism 134 Conclusion 137 Annotated references and suggested readings 139 Chapter 1 139 Chapter 2 140 Chapter 3 140 Chapter 4 140 Chapter 5 141 Chapter 6 141 Chapter 7 141 Chapter 8 141 Chapter 9 142 Chapter 10 143 Chapter 11 143 Chapter 12 143 Index 145 Will Brain Scientists Ever Be Able To Read Our Minds? Why Are Some Things Harder To Remember Than Others? Based On Recent Brain Research And Neural Network Modeling, The Brain-shaped Mind Addresses These And Other Questions, And Provides A Clear Account Of How The Structure Of The Brain Influences The Workings Of The Mind. Neuroscientists Are Now Learning About Our Minds By Examining How The Neurons In The Brain Are Connected With One Another And The Surrounding Environment. This Book Explores How Neural Networks Enable Us To Recognize Objects And Learn New Things, And What Happens When Things Go Wrong. The Reader Is Taken On A Fascinating Journey Into What Is Arguably One Of The Most Complicated And Remarkable Aspects Of Our Lives.--jacket. What The Brain Cannot Tell Us About The Mind -- How Neurons Form Networks -- Theories And Models Of How The Mind Functions -- What Are Connectionist Networks? -- How Our Networks Learn -- Connecting The Networks: How Different Things Are Related -- Evidence For Connectionist Models -- Two Different Types Of Memory -- Coping With Disaster -- Practical Implications -- Criticism Of Connectionist Theory. Naomi Goldblum ; Illustrated By Shifra Glick. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 129-134) And Index. In the same way atomic structures explain the physical properties of an object, neuroscientists are now learning about the human mind by examining how the neurons in the brain are connected to one another and their surrounding environments. Will brain scientists ever be capable of reading minds? Why are certain things harder to remember than others? The Brain-Shaped Mind addresses these and other questions to provide a clear account of how the structure of the brain influences the workings of the mind. Naomi Goldblum is a lecturer in psychology at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan, Israel. She has studied neuropsychology with a particular emphasis on cognitive psychology. In the same way atomic structures explain the physical properties of an object, neuroscientists are now learning about the human mind by examining how the neurons in the brain are connected to one another and their surrounding environments. Will brain scientists ever be capable of reading minds? Why are certain things harder to remember than others? Based on recent brain research and neural network modeling, The Brain-Shaped Mind addresses these and other questions to provide a clear account of how the structure of the brain influences the workings of the mind. Will brain scientists ever be able to read our minds? Why are some things harder to remember than others? Neural networks are used to address these questions and others, in a clear and informative manner, by examining how the structure of the brain shapes the workings of the mind