Integrating the Mind: Domain General Versus Domain Specific Processes in Higher Cognition - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1841695874 ISBN 13: 9781841695877

Publisher: Psychology Press, 2007

Synopsis

There are currently several debates taking place simultaneously in various fields of psychology which address the same fundamental issue: to what extent are the processes and resources that underlie higher cognition domain-general versus domain-specific? Extreme Domain Specificity argues that people are effective thinkers only in contexts which they have directly experienced, or in which evolution has equipped them with effective solutions. The role of general cognitive abilities is ignored, or denied altogether.

This book evaluates the evidence and arguments put forward in support of domain specific cognition, at the expense of domain generality. The contributions reflect a range of expertise, and present research into logical reasoning, problem solving, judgement and decision making, cognitive development, and intelligence. The contributors suggest that domain general processes are essential, and that domain specific processes cannot function without them. Rather than continuing to divide the mind’s function into ever more specific units, this book argues that psychologists should look for greater integration and for people’s general cognitive skills to be viewed as an integral part of their lives.

Integrating the Mind will be valuable reading for students and researchers in psychology interested in the fields of cognition, cognitive development, intelligence and skilled behaviour.

About this title

About the Author

Maxwell J. Roberts is a psychology lecturer at the University of Essex.

Edition details

• Publisher: Psychology Press
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1841695874
• ISBN 13: 9781841695877
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 520
• Editor: Roberts Maxwell J.