Cognitive Science

Test 2 / 2006

Modified: 2006-03-09

Instructions: Due before 2:10 p.m., Thursday, March 16.

Use the CS main page and pages you find on your own, and e-mail sent to you as the source for your answers. Submit your answers as hard copy.

Answers should be legible (i.e., not hand written), 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 (double spaced) 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. What are the most important parts of the brain? Why? As a cognitive scientist design a robot and tell what it's most important parts are.

2. Discuss the principles of "human centered design" as listed on the Web page: http://www.hf.faa.gov/webtraining/VisualDisplays/VisDisp1.htm Then, discuss the use of color in color displays.

3. Define communication. Then, show why language evolved as a form of auditory communication and not as visual or chemical communication.

4. Why are car door handles interfaces? After you design a door handle (like you did using clay models in class) what comes next? (Hint: How do you know your design is any good.)

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