Applied Cognitive Sciences

The contributions of philosophy and computer science to the investigation of cognition are the basis of cognitive sciences. Computer science is very important in the investigation of cognition, because computer-aided research, machine learning and decision-making methods helps to develop the mental processes, and computers are useful in testing scientific hypotheses about mental organization and functioning. In addition, the emergence of human-computer interfaces, such as eye movement tracking, allows the observation and examination of cognitive load in relation to a more complex cognitive process. Empirical theories are very important for guiding practice (including education, pedagogy, or psychology) and operational research and engineering, in particular, the design of human-computer interfaces that can be used efficiently without placing too much emphasis on human intellectual abilities. Studies using psychological experiments and computational models are also very important in mental health diagnosis and treatment. Cognitive science plays a significant role in the field of mental illnesses, such as depression, and neurodevelopmental disorders. More specifically the understanding of the possible mechanisms that underlie them and the way interventions work require an understanding of how the mind works. This book provides a platform for a review of these disciplines and the presentation of cognitive research as an independent field of study.