John Anderson received his B.A. from the University of British Columbia in 1968 and his Ph.D. from Stanford University 1972. He has been at Carnegie Mellon University since 1978 where he is a professor of psychology and computer science. His current research is concerned with developing the ACT-R theory of cognition and involves two related enterprises. One effort is concerned with modeling the acquisition of intellectual competences with major foci being the dynamic problem solving skills such as in air traffic control and mathematical problem solving skills. This research is also tied into efforts to develop computer-based instructional systems. The second effort is concerned with using fMRI brain imaging to track different components of the cognitive architecture in the performance of complex tasks.

• Preface


• 1 Cognitive Architecture


• 2 The Modular Organization of the Mind


• 3 Human Associative Memory


• 4 The Adaptive Control of Thought


• 5 What does it Take to be Human? Lessons from High-School Algebra


• 6 How Can the Human Mind Occur?


• Bibiliography

The argument John Anderson gives in this book was inspired by the passage above, from the last lecture by one of the pioneers of cognitive science. Newell describes what, for him, is the pivotal question of scientific inquiry, and Anderson gives an answer that is emerging from the study of brain and behavior.