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Cognitive Science

All articles tagged with #cognitive science

Smart men less tied to traditional politics, study finds
cognitive-science7 days ago

Smart men less tied to traditional politics, study finds

A long-running German study of gifted (IQ 130+) and non-gifted adults shows they largely share the same political views, with one gender-based exception: non-gifted men score higher on conservatism than gifted men, while women show no difference. The results support cognitive-flexibility and centering ideas, suggesting high intelligence does not predict radical politics, though the study’s small sample and Germany-specific context limit generalizability.

via PsyPost|
#cognitive-flexibility#cognitive-science#conservatism
Smart minds may misread mental health tests
cognitive-science9 days ago

Smart minds may misread mental health tests

Two large US datasets show standard mental health surveys may mismeasure distress in highly intelligent people because the questions do not function the same across IQ levels (a lack of measurement invariance). An initial nonlinear pattern suggested mental health improves with intelligence up to a point before declining, but advanced analyses indicate the test items lose diagnostic power at high IQ, casting doubt on conclusions about the mental health of the gifted and underscoring the need for assessments designed for highly intelligent individuals.

via PsyPost|
#cognitive-science#depression-scales#giftedness
Scent-based cognitive boost: a complex essential oil blend improves memory in a small trial
cognitive-science26 days ago

Scent-based cognitive boost: a complex essential oil blend improves memory in a small trial

A 90-participant double-blind study found inhaling a Genius essential oil blend (patchouli, neroli, grapefruit, cardamom, frankincense, spikenard, rosemary, lemongrass) improved memory and executive-function performance in healthy adults compared with no aroma and sage oil controls, while also increasing brain metabolism during demanding tasks as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. However, the metabolic increase did not directly explain the performance gains; participants also reported higher alertness and less fatigue. Delivery via a diffuser introduced variability in dosage, and the study assessed only acute, single-session effects. The findings suggest essential-oil aromas can offer small, safe, complementary cognitive benefits but are not a medical treatment; standardizing delivery and testing long-term effects are needed.

via PsyPost|
#aroma#brain-metabolism#cognitive-enhancement
Language May Be Built from Simple Linear Blocks, Not Deep Grammar, Study Finds
science1 month ago

Language May Be Built from Simple Linear Blocks, Not Deep Grammar, Study Finds

A Nature Human Behaviour study argues the mind may represent language with flat, linear building blocks rather than complex hierarchical grammar. Experiments (eye-tracking and phone conversations) show common word-class sequences can be primed, including nonconstituent phrases like “in the middle of the,” suggesting language uses simpler patterns than traditionally believed and that the gap between human language and animal communication could be smaller than thought.

via SciTechDaily|
#cognitive-science#grammar#language
Study Explains Why Time Feels Faster as We Age
science4 months ago

Study Explains Why Time Feels Faster as We Age

A study using fMRI scans of people watching an Alfred Hitchcock show suggests that as we age, our brains experience fewer and longer-lasting neural states, which may contribute to the perception that time passes more quickly in older adults. This neural dedifferentiation could make it harder to distinguish between events, influencing our subjective experience of time.

via Live Science|
#brain-aging#cognitive-science#fmri
Hyperthymesia: The Memory Superpower of Remembering Everything
science5 months ago

Hyperthymesia: The Memory Superpower of Remembering Everything

A rare case study of a 17-year-old girl with hyperthymesia reveals her exceptional ability to vividly recall and organize personal memories with control, using mental 'rooms' for different themes and emotions, and highlights the overlap between remembering and imagining future events, offering insights into cognition and potential therapeutic approaches.

via Earth.com|
#autobiographical-memory#cognitive-science#hyperthymesia
Why We Struggle to Judge Knot Strength Accurately
science1 year ago

Why We Struggle to Judge Knot Strength Accurately

A study by Johns Hopkins University researchers reveals that people struggle to judge the strength of knots, highlighting a potential "blind spot" in our physical reasoning. Despite knots being a common part of daily life, participants in the study failed to accurately assess knot strength, even with visual aids. The research suggests that understanding soft objects like string or rope may be more challenging than solid ones, and that expertise in knot-tying, such as that of sailors or mountaineers, might improve judgment.

via Gizmodo|
#cognitive-science#intuition#johns-hopkins-university
The Knot Conundrum: Why We Misjudge Knot Strength
science1 year ago

The Knot Conundrum: Why We Misjudge Knot Strength

A study by Johns Hopkins University reveals that people struggle to visually assess the strength of knots, despite their familiarity with them. Participants consistently failed to identify the strongest knot among similar ones, even when shown videos or diagrams. This suggests a blind spot in our intuitive physical reasoning, as we cannot easily discern the internal structure of non-rigid objects like knots. The research highlights the complexity of understanding knot strength and suggests that expertise, such as that of sailors, might improve performance.

via Phys.org|
#cognitive-science#intuitive-physics#johns-hopkins-university
The Knot Conundrum: Why We Misjudge Knot Strength
science1 year ago

The Knot Conundrum: Why We Misjudge Knot Strength

A study by Johns Hopkins University reveals that despite our familiarity with knots, most people struggle to visually determine the strength of different knots. Participants consistently failed to identify the strongest knot, even when shown videos or diagrams. This suggests a blind spot in our physical reasoning, as we cannot intuitively assess the internal structure of non-rigid objects like knots. The research highlights the complexity of intuitive physics and our limitations in understanding the physical properties of certain objects.

via EurekAlert|
#cognitive-science#intuitive-physics#johns-hopkins-university
Robots Aid in Decoding Human Self-Perception
science-and-technology1 year ago

Robots Aid in Decoding Human Self-Perception

A recent study highlights how robots can model and test aspects of the human sense of self, providing insights into this complex phenomenon. By simulating processes like body ownership and agency, robots can help researchers understand the development and disruption of the sense of self, such as in schizophrenia or autism. This interdisciplinary approach combines cognitive robotics, psychology, and psychiatry to explore human identity, suggesting that robots could serve as both models and experimental tools in this research.

via Neuroscience News|
#cognitive-science#human-robot-interaction#neuroscience
"Inner Voice Crucial for Verbal Memory, Study Finds"
science-and-health1 year ago

"Inner Voice Crucial for Verbal Memory, Study Finds"

A recent study has explored the experiences of people who cannot imagine hearing their own internal monologue, a condition suggested to be called "anendophasia." Researchers found that these individuals may struggle with certain word processing tasks but perform similarly to others when allowed to speak words aloud. The study validates the experiences of those with aphantasia and highlights the importance of consistent terminology in scientific research.

via The Conversation|
#aphantasia#cognitive-science#inner-speech