#Brain and cognitive sciences

[stemgirlchic]

why neuroscience is cool

space & the brain are like the two final frontiers

we know just enough to know we know nothing

there are radically new theories all. the. time. and even just in my research assistant work i've been able to meet with, talk to, and work with the people making them

it's such a philosophical science

potential to do a lot of good in fighting neurological diseases

things like BCI (brain computer interface) and OI (organoid intelligence) are soooooo new and anyone's game - motivation to study hard and be successful so i can take back my field from elon musk

machine learning is going to rapidly increase neuroscience progress i promise you. we get so caught up in AI stealing jobs but yes please steal my job of manually analyzing fMRI scans please i would much prefer to work on the science PLUS computational simulations will soon >>> animal testing to make all drug testing safer and more ethical !! we love ethical AI <3

collab with...everyone under the sun - psychologists, philosophers, ethicists, physicists, molecular biologists, chemists, drug development, machine learning, traditional computing, business, history, education, literally try to name a field we don't work with

it's the brain eeeeee

[unbfacts]

[compneuropapers]

Interesting Reviews for Week 13, 2025

Neural circuits for goal-directed navigation across species. Basu, J., & Nagel, K. (2024). Trends in Neurosciences, 47(11), 904–917.

Neural Network Excitation/Inhibition: A Key to Empathy and Empathy Impairment. Tang, Y., Wang, C., Li, Q., Liu, G., Song, D., Quan, Z., Yan, Y., & Qing, H. (2024). The Neuroscientist, 30(6), 644–665.

Event perception and event memory in real-world experience. Bailey, H., & Smith, M. E. (2024). Nature Reviews Psychology, 3(11), 754–766.

Plasticity of Dendritic Spines Underlies Fear Memory. Choi, J. E., & Kaang, B.-K. (2024). The Neuroscientist, 30(6), 690–703.

[thepersonalwords]

Just for a second, think, how mysteriously vast the universe is! And you the humans exist only in a tiny fraction of that vastness. You’d realize how insignificant you are if you compare yourself with the vastness of the universe. Your universe is everything that is out there. Your little 3 pound brain has access to only a microscopic percentage of that unfathomable everything. You childishly boast your greatness as a so-called advanced species while you only see a very small strip of what’s really going on in the universe.

Abhijit Naskar, Autobiography of God: Biopsy of A Cognitive Reality

[your-worst-boy]

Yall need to look at this article lol...

Me and my partner were losing our minds over how this article was written about fake news as it regards to democrats vs republicans. who shares it more, who has a harder time telling the difference & discerning what's true, etc.

I feel like most of us know the "fake news" MAJORITY is coming from conservatives. But somehow, this article was reporting republicans as having "higher cognitive efficiency than democrats"? Even though BY THEIR OWN REPORTS, democrats were more accurate in determining real from fake news.

In discussion we wondered why they'd use the measurement of "metacognitive efficiency" when really what they're looking for should be their accuracy?

Because what they found was REPUBLICANS KNOW THEYRE WORSE AT IT. They admit that through the prior assessments lol. They say oh no, I know I can't tell the difference & favor republican headlines.

And because of that they were rated with a higher metacognitive efficiency score because...they knew they did bad, and then did bad lol??? We knew that had to be some kind of disingenuous ploy to make republicans look better.

As the note says...when we thought about it, and by chance mentioned "yknow it's like there's a dissonance..." we said oh my god. That's it lmao.

These people intentionally used this backwards measurement, which is a reverse of cognitive dissonance, in an attempt to make the playing field look either even or very close. (That's another thing...they use phrases throughout the WHOLE PAPER that say "dems and reps performed about the same" and then give figures that say the EXACT opposite).

This is just so wild. I need to know other people's response to this lmao.

Oh, and it's from Yale! Home of rich dumbasses and untrustworthy work. Who would've thought.

[occknow]

It is always wise to look ahead, but difficult to look further than you can see.— From Sense and Nonsense in Psychology by H. J. Eysenck

[trendsnova]

Your Brain Was Never Supposed to Read

How a Man-Made Invention Rewired Human Cognition

Literacy: A Modern Superpower We Overlook

Reading feels just like second nature to us, so much so that we tend to forget that it's not something our brains were originally programmed to accomplish. Whether you're texting on your cell phone, browsing headlines, or reading a movie with subtitles, literacy's so integral to contemporary life that it feels like a hardwired ability. But this ease is illusory.

While people learn to speak automatically, starting from infancy, reading is an artificial invention. It has to be consciously taught and laboriously acquired. And nevertheless, today more than 87% of the world's population is literate. The question is: how did it happen? And more interestingly, what did this invention do to our brains?

Writing: A Surprisingly Recent Innovation

Spoken words are old, perhaps as old as Homo sapiens themselves, at least 135,000 years old. But writing is ridiculously recent. The earliest known writing system, Sumerian cuneiform, did not appear until about 3200 BCE. That's only about 5,000 years ago, the equivalent of a blink of the eye in evolutionary time.

This implies that for more than 95% of the history of our species, we transmitted knowledge verbally. Tales, legislation, and ceremonies, all remembered and articulated. Writing did not augment language; it revolutionized it. It made it possible to save thoughts for good, preserving them in a permanent form; carry ideas across geographies and across epochs; and, most importantly, free communication from the sender's location. Civilization, as we understand it, was founded on this transformation.

Recycling the Brain: The Neuroscience of Reading

So, how did our brains adjust to this revolutionary invention? The quick answer: they didn't, not initially. Reading was not something the human brain developed for. Rather, it's a cognitive hack, a genius repurposing of what was already there.

Neuroscientist Stanislas Dehaene refers to this as "neuronal recycling." The brain hijacks areas initially devoted to object and face recognition, visual processing, and spoken language, and uses them for reading. For instance, the "visual word form area" in the left fusiform gyrus is responsible for identifying written words and letters. But this area wasn't designed for reading; it was developed to recognize intricate visual patterns in the environment. With time and practice, our brains adapted to recognizing letters as shapes and relating them to sound and meaning.

Briefly: your brain doesn't read words as much as it sees patterns, makes sense of them based on learned connections, and imposes them on sound-based networks of language. Reading is a neural hack, a genius one.

The Cognitive Trade-Off

Reading brought huge benefits: memory outsourced through books, concepts traded across the globe, and knowledge amplified beyond the confines of the oral tradition. But this progress had cognitive trade-offs.

In cultures where oral tradition was prevailing, individuals had remarkable memory and listening abilities. Epic poems such as the Iliad and the Mahabharata were being recited orally, word by word, generation after generation. With the discovery of writing, followed by that of the printing press, such acts of memory were no longer required. In return, we inherited something potentially greater: selectively forgetting, storing externally, and abstract thinking via symbols.

But our brains were reconditioned, gradually, over decades, to read with ease. Kids don't learn to read the way they naturally learn to talk. It takes practice, focus, and sometimes grit. That's because each time you read, your brain is actually executing a sophisticated simulation, connecting shape to sound to meaning, in an instant.

Why It Matters Today

Understanding that reading is not an evolved instinct but a trained skill matters more than ever in an age of digital distraction. Screens and fast-scrolling content increasingly pull us away from deep reading. Yet deep reading, the kind that activates critical thinking, reflection, and empathy, is one of the highest cognitive functions we’ve developed.

As AI begins to read, write, and summarize for us, there’s a temptation to offload even this skill. But that would be a mistake. Reading is not just about information consumption. It’s about cognitive development. It strengthens our focus, expands imagination, and rewires the brain in ways few other activities do.

Conclusion: Reading as a Radical Act

Your brain didn't evolve to read. But it did. And as it did so, it changed human culture, and human brains,

Whenever you read a book or stop to read a contemplative article, you're doing one of the most advanced and unnatural things a human being can do. And that's what makes it beautiful. Reading isn't something we do; it's a revolution that occurs silently in the mind, word by word, neuron by neuron.

[thebusylilbee]

STEM students and professionals I need your knowledge on something :

is saying "cognitive functions" the same thing as saying "cerebral functions" or "brain functions" or is there a difference I don't see because I never studied this above an arts & litterature high school level ?

[researchatory]

The Surprising Study Snack: Chocolate for Better Memory | @researchatory

Level up your study game with a little dark chocolate! Research suggests it can enhance focus and memory retention. Just a small piece might give you that extra edge. 😉

#StudyTips #BrainFood #ChocolateLover #MemoryBoost #DarkChocolateBenefits #StudentLife #CognitiveFunction #StudyFuel

That's fascinating! It's always interesting to see how everyday things can have surprising effects on our cognitive abilities. So, a little bit of dark chocolate might actually be a study buddy in disguise. It makes sense that increased blood flow and those stimulating compounds could give the brain a little boost when it's working hard.

It's good to know it's not a magic bullet, though. Consistent effort and effective study techniques are still key. But the idea of a small, enjoyable treat potentially enhancing learning is definitely appealing!

Keywords - (Studying, Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Brain Food, Memory, Learning, Focus, Concentration, Cognition, Education, Student, Desk, Books, Notes, Snack, Treat, Brain Boost, Cognitive Enhancement, Academic, Knowledge, Flavonoids, Caffeine , Theobromine, Blood Flow, Alertness , Memory Retention, Test Scores, Cognitive Performance, Study Session, Exam Prep, Learning Tips, Student Life, Study Motivation, Smart Snacking)

[ismailfazil1-blog]

The Human Brain vs. Supercomputers: The Ultimate Comparison

Are Supercomputers Smarter Than the Human Brain?

This article delves into the intricacies of this comparison, examining the capabilities, strengths, and limitations of both the human brain and supercomputers.

[compneuropapers]

Interesting Papers for Week 3, 2025

Synaptic weight dynamics underlying memory consolidation: Implications for learning rules, circuit organization, and circuit function. Bhasin, B. J., Raymond, J. L., & Goldman, M. S. (2024). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(41), e2406010121.

Characterization of the temporal stability of ToM and pain functional brain networks carry distinct developmental signatures during naturalistic viewing. Bhavna, K., Ghosh, N., Banerjee, R., & Roy, D. (2024). Scientific Reports, 14, 22479.

Connectomic reconstruction predicts visual features used for navigation. Garner, D., Kind, E., Lai, J. Y. H., Nern, A., Zhao, A., Houghton, L., … Kim, S. S. (2024). Nature, 634(8032), 181–190.

Socialization causes long-lasting behavioral changes. Gil-Martí, B., Isidro-Mézcua, J., Poza-Rodriguez, A., Asti Tello, G. S., Treves, G., Turiégano, E., … Martin, F. A. (2024). Scientific Reports, 14, 22302.

Neural pathways and computations that achieve stable contrast processing tuned to natural scenes. Gür, B., Ramirez, L., Cornean, J., Thurn, F., Molina-Obando, S., Ramos-Traslosheros, G., & Silies, M. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 8580.

Lack of optimistic bias during social evaluation learning reflects reduced positive self-beliefs in depression and social anxiety, but via distinct mechanisms. Hoffmann, J. A., Hobbs, C., Moutoussis, M., & Button, K. S. (2024). Scientific Reports, 14, 22471.

Causal involvement of dorsomedial prefrontal cortex in learning the predictability of observable actions. Kang, P., Moisa, M., Lindström, B., Soutschek, A., Ruff, C. C., & Tobler, P. N. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 8305.

A transient high-dimensional geometry affords stable conjunctive subspaces for efficient action selection. Kikumoto, A., Bhandari, A., Shibata, K., & Badre, D. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 8513.

Presaccadic Attention Enhances and Reshapes the Contrast Sensitivity Function Differentially around the Visual Field. Kwak, Y., Zhao, Y., Lu, Z.-L., Hanning, N. M., & Carrasco, M. (2024). eNeuro, 11(9), ENEURO.0243-24.2024.

Transformation of neural coding for vibrotactile stimuli along the ascending somatosensory pathway. Lee, K.-S., Loutit, A. J., de Thomas Wagner, D., Sanders, M., Prsa, M., & Huber, D. (2024). Neuron, 112(19), 3343-3353.e7.

Inhibitory plasticity supports replay generalization in the hippocampus. Liao, Z., Terada, S., Raikov, I. G., Hadjiabadi, D., Szoboszlay, M., Soltesz, I., & Losonczy, A. (2024). Nature Neuroscience, 27(10), 1987–1998.

Third-party punishment-like behavior in a rat model. Mikami, K., Kigami, Y., Doi, T., Choudhury, M. E., Nishikawa, Y., Takahashi, R., … Tanaka, J. (2024). Scientific Reports, 14, 22310.

The morphospace of the brain-cognition organisation. Pacella, V., Nozais, V., Talozzi, L., Abdallah, M., Wassermann, D., Forkel, S. J., & Thiebaut de Schotten, M. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 8452.

A Drosophila computational brain model reveals sensorimotor processing. Shiu, P. K., Sterne, G. R., Spiller, N., Franconville, R., Sandoval, A., Zhou, J., … Scott, K. (2024). Nature, 634(8032), 210–219.

Decision-making shapes dynamic inter-areal communication within macaque ventral frontal cortex. Stoll, F. M., & Rudebeck, P. H. (2024). Current Biology, 34(19), 4526-4538.e5.

Intrinsic Motivation in Dynamical Control Systems. Tiomkin, S., Nemenman, I., Polani, D., & Tishby, N. (2024). PRX Life, 2(3), 033009.

Coding of self and environment by Pacinian neurons in freely moving animals. Turecek, J., & Ginty, D. D. (2024). Neuron, 112(19), 3267-3277.e6.

The role of training variability for model-based and model-free learning of an arbitrary visuomotor mapping. Velázquez-Vargas, C. A., Daw, N. D., & Taylor, J. A. (2024). PLOS Computational Biology, 20(9), e1012471.

Rejecting unfairness enhances the implicit sense of agency in the human brain. Wang, Y., & Zhou, J. (2024). Scientific Reports, 14, 22822.

Impaired motor-to-sensory transformation mediates auditory hallucinations. Yang, F., Zhu, H., Cao, X., Li, H., Fang, X., Yu, L., … Tian, X. (2024). PLOS Biology, 22(10), e3002836.

[cognitive-science-stuff]

Do You Ever Look at Someone and Wonder, "What Is Going On Inside Their Head?"

If you do, you will love this blog! I would love to share with you my knowledge about brain functioning, neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology and more!

None of this sounds familiar? Don't worry! Here's a quick explanation:

As you probably know, inside our skulls, there is a cream colored sponge, called brain (yeah, I love calling brain a "sponge", it's quite common in my native language and it's fun), but do you know how it actually works? Not only in the biological aspect (neurons), but also how it creates mind (yeah, it's not the same thing, mind is more than just biological structures), psyche and, what's the most important, a person. Maybe you wonder why you're feeling emotions? How memory works? How am I possible to learn things and understand abstract issues? How about self-awareness and consciousness?

Yeah, so basically that's it, but not only. There's so much more interesting things that I want to share with you (so follow me to stay tuned ;) ).

But, who am I (author)?

Hi, I'm Tobi. I'm a first year student from Poland. I'm stu(dying) cognitive science, so most of my posts will be just issues discussed in my classes (yeah, I need motivation to study more). Probably I'm going to share some of my everyday student's life because content based only on science will get boring quite fast (it's not like shitposting about random stuff is just easier way of being active in scm and I'm also a little bit oversharing).

[informationatlas]

So long, and thanks for all the fish

Dolphins are known for their high level of intelligence among non-human animals. While brain size is one factor often considered in discussions of intelligence, it's important to note that intelligence is a complex trait influenced by various factors.

Dolphins, particularly species like bottlenose dolphins, have large and highly developed brains relative to their body size. The encephalization quotient (EQ), which measures brain size relative to body size, is often used to compare the intelligence of different species. Dolphins have relatively high EQs, indicating that their brains are larger than expected for an animal of their size.

Dolphins are renowned for their intricate communication skills, employing a diverse range of vocalizations, body language, and distinctive whistles. Their communication is not only used for basic interaction but also for conveying complex information within their social groups. The ability to convey and understand various messages suggests a high level of cognitive sophistication.

Research has confirmed that dolphins engage in cooperative problem-solving. They often work together to achieve common goals, such as hunting for prey or navigating challenging environments. Dolphins have been observed using coordinated tactics to corral fish into tight groups, making it easier for them to capture their prey. This collaborative approach to problem-solving reflects a high level of social intelligence and effective communication within dolphin pods.

Dolphins are known for their ability to teach and learn from one another. This includes the transmission of behaviors and skills within the group, a phenomenon known as cultural transmission. Dolphins can pass on knowledge about hunting techniques, communication signals, and other behaviors to younger or less experienced members of the pod. This cultural exchange contributes to the transmission and preservation of complex behaviors across generations.

Another indicator of advanced cognitive abilities is self-awareness, and dolphins have demonstrated this trait. Through the mirror test, where animals recognize themselves in a mirror, dolphins have displayed a level of self-awareness. This suggests a cognitive capacity for introspection and an understanding of one's own identity, a characteristic shared by a select group of intelligent species.

While not as extensively studied as in some other intelligent species, there is evidence that dolphins engage in tool use. For instance, some dolphins use sponges to protect their snouts while foraging on the ocean floor. This behavior reflects a certain level of cognitive flexibility and innovation, as dolphins adapt objects from their environment for specific purposes, showcasing a capacity for tool use.

Photo credits:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1FmXM-v-W3/

©Elena Larina/Shutterstock.com

https://discoverycove.com/orlando/blog/how-do-dolphins-communicate

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fascinationwildlife/22394533689

[frank-olivier]

The Abstraction Gap: Understanding the Relationship Between Biological and Artificial Neural Networks

The human brain is a complex and intricate organ capable of producing a wide range of behaviors essential to our daily lives. From the simplest reflexes to the most complex cognitive functions, brain activity is a dynamic and ever-changing process that is still not fully understood. Advances in neuroscience and artificial intelligence have led to a new perspective on brain function that emphasizes the importance of emergent dynamics in the generation of complex behaviors.

Emergent dynamics refers to the collective behavior that arises from the interactions of individual components in a complex system. In the context of the brain, emergent dynamics refers to the complex patterns of activity that arise from the interactions of billions of neurons. These patterns of activity lead to a wide range of behaviors, from the movement of our limbs to the perception of the world around us.

One of the most important challenges in understanding brain function is the time warp problem. This problem occurs when the cadence of a stimulus pattern varies significantly, making it difficult for artificial intelligence systems to recognize patterns. Neuroscientific evidence has shown that the brain can easily solve the time warp problem. This is due to the brain's emergent dynamics, which allows it to recognize patterns that are not fixed in time but dynamic and can change in tempo.

In the context of artificial neural networks, the concept of emergent dynamics can be applied to develop more sophisticated artificial intelligence systems that can learn and adapt in complex environments. By understanding the collective dynamics of neurons in the brain, researchers may be able to develop artificial neural networks that can detect and respond to time-varying stimulus patterns, develop goal-directed motor behavior, and even perform simple reasoning and problem-solving tasks.

The relationship between abstraction and scalability in neural networks is complex. While artificial neural networks can be scaled to handle large amounts of data, they lack the ability to abstract from the details of the input data, which is a key feature of biological neural networks. To bridge this gap, researchers must prioritize developing artificial neural networks that operate at higher levels of abstraction, allowing them to efficiently process and represent complex information.

The emergence of complex behaviors in the brain is a fundamental aspect of its function. By understanding the collective dynamics of neurons in the brain, researchers may be able to develop more sophisticated artificial intelligence systems that can learn and adapt in complex environments.

The implications of emergent dynamics for brain function and artificial intelligence are significant. By applying the concept of emergent dynamics to artificial neural networks, researchers may be able to develop more sophisticated artificial intelligence systems that can detect and respond to time-varying stimulus patterns, develop goal-directed motor behavior, and perform simple reasoning and problem-solving tasks.

John J. Hopfield: Emergence, Dynamics, and Behaviour (Professor Sir David MacKay FRS Symposium, March 2016)

Dr. François Chollet: General intelligence - Define It, Measure It, Build It (Artificial General Intelligence Conference, Seattle, WA, USA, August 2024)

Prof. Alexander G. Ororbia: Biologically inspired AI and Mortal Computation (Machine Learning Street Talk, October 2024)

Introducing Figure 02 (Figure, August 2024)

Prof. Michael Levin, Dr. Leo Pio Lopez: Convergent Evolution - The Co-Revolution of AI & Biology (The Cognitive Revolution, October 2024)

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

[volgacankaya]

“Forgetting: The Benefits of Not Remembering” with Dr. Scott Small

People aspire to have a better memory and to retain information effectively. However, there are instances when memory fails them. Not too long ago, both individuals and memory scientists believed that forgetfulness served no discernible purpose. Yet, recent research across diverse fields such as medicine, psychology, computer science, and neuroscience has revealed a different perspective.

It turns out that forgetting is not a flaw of the mind; rather, it serves a vital role. In fact, it contributes positively to people's lives by fostering creativity and benefiting their overall well-being. Forgetting clears the clutter from the mind, enabling better decision-making.

Forgetting appears to be an independent cognitive function, distinct from the processes governing memory retention.

As Schacter explains, the act of remembering and retrieving memories is a practical process, albeit not without its flaws. The memory system possesses inherent imperfections that people encounter daily. In his book, 'The Seven Sins of Memory,' Schacter identifies seven common memory failures: transience, absentmindedness, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence. He argues that these 'sins' should not be viewed as flaws in the memory system; instead, they are intrinsic features of memory.

Schacter further asserts that memory serves the needs of the present, and that current knowledge, beliefs, and emotions influence the recollection of the past. This function is orchestrated by the Default Brain Network, an intriguing system responsible for both remembering the past and imagining the future. It's a remarkable case of a single network managing two distinct processes.

The ability to forget plays a pivotal role in helping people prioritize, think more effectively, make decisions, and enhance their creativity. In the delicate balance between remembering and forgetting, mental flexibility emerges, allowing individuals to extract abstract concepts from their stored knowledge, ultimately enabling them to see the bigger picture.

Forgetting, far from being a hindrance, is a natural and beneficial aspect of human cognition.

[moonscarabz]

heyo ! im a cognitive science student and im doing a self-guided project about dreams and lived experience ! i would really appreciate any responses, as these questions have been guiding a passion project of mine for the last couple of years now. i have found that these questions are usually a fun and simple way to think deeper about your dreams, and hope you will contribute to the information gathered ! to sum up, I am interested in understanding how experiences of everyday life and mental disorder may affect the modes in which a person dreams. this is a short, 7-question survey that is entirely anonymous, and the information will not be used in any formal capacity.