The computational theory of mind and constraints on the notions of symbol and mental representation

René J. Jorna

pp. 275-283

in: Michael E. Hyland, William J. Baker, René van Hezewijk, Terwee (eds), Recent trends in theoretical psychology, Berlin, Springer, 1990

Abstract

In this article I will show in what sense symbol systems and representations are necessary theoretical aspects in the study of human cognition. The article consists of three sections. In the first section I will discuss three central notions in cognitive psychology and I will demonstrate how these notions can be transformed into criteria in order to characterize and compare theories of mental representation. In the second section I will demonstrate the use of these criteria with Kosslyn's (1980) theory of pictorial representations.