Cognitive ecology.
Edwin Hutchins
Topics in Cognitive Science October 2010 DOI: 10.1111/j.1756-8765.2010.01089.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Activity theory Brain-body-world systems Distributed cognition Ecological psychology Ecology of mind Embodied cognition Human culture Situated cognition |
| Key points | Argues that cognitive ecology, which examines cognition in context and the mutual dependence among elements of a cognitive ecosystem, draws on Gibson's ecological psychology, Bateson's ecology of mind, and Soviet cultural-historical activity theory. Contends that as cognitive theory moves toward units of analysis defined by dynamic patterns of correlation across elements, the study of cognitive ecosystems will become increasingly important in cognitive science. |
Abstract
Cognitive ecology is the study of cognitive phenomena in context. In particular, it points to the web of mutual dependence among the elements of a cognitive ecosystem. At least three fields were taking a deeply ecological approach to cognition 30 years ago: Gibson's ecological psychology, Bateson's ecology of mind, and Soviet cultural-historical activity theory. The ideas developed in those projects have now found a place in modern views of embodied, situated, distributed cognition. As cognitive theory continues to shift from units of analysis defined by inherent properties of the elements to units defined in terms of dynamic patterns of correlation across elements, the study of cognitive ecosystems will become an increasingly important part of cognitive science.
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