Cognitive Science

Test 2 / 2009

Modified: 3/18/2009


Instructions: Bring to class as HARD COPY by Monday, March 30, 2009.

Use the CS main page and other Web pages as the source for your answers.

Answers should be complete, thoughtful, and articulate. You may consult with me via e-mail as you develop your answers (probably a good strategy). Shoot for at least one page per question and do not simply copy and paste answers. Use quotes to indicate sources you found elsewhere and provide URLs or references where appropriate. Failure to properly cite sources may lead to a grade of zero for that item!


1. Using the Physiology General Principles page as a guide, design a "creature" that could compete in a triathelon (e.g., swim, run, and ride a bicycle). Think conceptually and you may allow your creature to invoke or use specific modules for specific tasks. (Meaning that it could change shape or propulsion method depending on what it was doing.)


2. Use the following Web page:

http://www.hf.faa.gov/Webtraining/VisualDisplays/symbols/Symbols1.htm to help with your answer. Then create local (e.g., for Arkansans) and universal signs for the following situations: "No talking", "hospital zone", and "pets welcome". You will provide (e.g., draw or describe) six signs. After, explain why they will work in Arkansas and why the others are universal.


3. Give reasons why most language theorists believe that human language learning is directed by some kind of brain structure or mechanism. In other words, give the evidence supporting such a view.
4. Read: http://raysweb.net/poems/articles/tannen.html and then give an example of human male-female miscommunication. Tell why there was miscommunication in your example and give suggestions on how to fix it.

 

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