The Knowledge Instinct, Cognitive Functions of Music and Cultural Evolution

2016 ◽  
pp. 17-41
Author(s):  
Leonid I. Perlovsky ◽  
Nobuo Masataka ◽  
Michel Cabanac
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Cognitive Dissonance ◽  
Cultural Evolution ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Music Culture ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
Evolution Of Music ◽  
Joint Evolution

Evolution of music ability has been considered a mystery from Aristotle to Darwin and as no adaptive purpose has been identified yet, making music is still a puzzle for evolutionary biologists. This chapter considers a new theory of music origin and evolution, identifying a cognitive function of music which helps overcoming cognitive dissonance based on the unification of consciousness that is differentiated by language. According to this theory, music is fundamental for cultural evolution. The reason for music strongly affecting us is that it helps overcoming unpleasant emotions of cognitive contradictions, which are conditions of accumulating knowledge. The chapter considers experimental evidence supporting this theory and the joint evolution of music, culture, and consciousness.

Moderate to heavy infections ofTrichuris trichiuraaffect cognitive function in Jamaican school children

Parasitology ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 539-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Nokes ◽  
S. M. Grantham-McGregor ◽  
A. W. Sawyer ◽  
E. S. Cooper ◽  
B. A. Robinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
School Children ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
Placebo Trial

A double-blind placebo trial was conducted to determine the effect of moderate to high loads ofTrichuris trichiura(whipworm) infection on the cognitive functions of 159 school children (age 9–12 years) in Jamaica. Infected children were randomly assigned to Treatment or Placebo groups. A third group of randomly selected uninfected children were assigned to a Control for comparative purposes. The improvement in cognitive function was evaluated using a stepwise multiple linear regression, designed to control for any confounding variables. The expulsion of worms led to a significant improvement in tests of auditory short-term memory (P< 0.02;P< 0.01), and a highly significant improvement in the scanning and retrieval of long-term memory (P< 0.001). After 9 weeks, treated children were no longer significantly different from an uninfected Control group in these three tests of cognitive function. The removal ofT. trichiurawas more important thanAscaris lumbricoidesin determining this improvement. The results suggest that whipworm infection has an adverse effect on certain cognitive functions which is reversible by therapy.

The Unification of the Arts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Brown
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Evolution ◽  
Visual Art ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Aesthetic Responses ◽  
Music And Language ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Dance Movements ◽  
Evolution Of Music

The Unification of the Arts presents the first integrated cognitive account of the arts that attempts to unite all of the arts into a single framework, covering visual art, theatre, literature, dance, and music, with supporting discussions about creativity and aesthetics that span all of the arts. The book’s comparative approach identifies both what is unique to each artform and what artforms share with one another. An understanding of shared mechanisms sheds light on how the arts are able to combine with one another to form syntheses, such as choreographing dance movements to music, or setting lyrics to music to create a song. While most psychological analyses of the arts focus on perceptual mechanisms alone—most commonly aesthetic responses—the book offers a holistic sensorimotor account of the arts that examines the full gamut of processes from creation to perception for each artform. This allows for a broad discussion of the evolution of the arts, including the origins of rhythm, the co-evolution of music and language, the evolution of drawing, and cultural evolution of the arts. Finally, the book aims to unify a number of topics that have not been adequately related to one another in previous discussions, including theatre and literature, music and language, creativity and aesthetics, dancing and acting, and visual art and music. The Unification of the Arts provides a bold new approach to the integration of the arts, one that covers cognition, evolution, and neuroscience.

Predictive value of atrial fibrillation catheter ablation on cognitive functions in patients with chronic heart failure

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
T. V. Zolotarova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Chronic Heart Failure ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) directly leads to a cognitive function decline regardless of the cerebrovascular fatal events, but it is unclear whether the sinus rhythm restoration and reducing the AF burden can reduce the rate of this decreasement. Data on the effect of radiofrequency ablation on patients’ cognitive functions are conflicting and need to be studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of atrial fibrillation radiofrequency catheter ablation on cognitive functions in patients with chronic heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. The impact of AF radiofrequency catheter ablation on cognitive function in 136 patients (mean age 59.7 ± 8.6 years) with chronic heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and compared with 58 patients in the control group (58.2 ± 8.1 years), which did not perform ablation and continued the tactics of drug antiarrhythmic therapy was investigated. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Test (MoCA) at the enrollment stage and 2 years follow-up. Decreased cognitive function was defined as a MoCA test score < 26 points, cognitive impairment < 23 points. Two years after the intervention, there was a positive dynamics (baseline MoCA test — 25,1 ± 2,48, 2-year follow-up — 26,51 ± 2,33, p < 0,001) in the ablation group and negative in the control group (25,47 ± 2,85 and 24,57 ± 3,61, respectively, p < 0,001). Pre-ablation cognitive impairment was significantly associated with improved cognitive function 2 years after AF ablation according to polynomial regression analysis. The obtained data suggest a probable positive effect of AF radiofrequency ablation on cognitive functions in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

scholarly journals STIMULATION OF COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS OF PSYCHE BY MEANS OF ONLINE GAMES

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (4) ◽  
pp. 66-76
Author(s):  
Оlena Kovalova
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Online Games ◽  
Theoretical Justification ◽  
Training Memory ◽  
Effectiveness Of Training ◽  
Training Success ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Stimulation Of

The article presents the results of testing of the developed online-training of cognitive functions of the brain, which was implemented on a separately created game platform using a set of specially developed games. The proposed results reveal the theoretical justification of the cognitive functions, which are selected for training: memory, thinking, attention, imagination, perception. The characteristics of each cognitive function to be stimulated in the conditions of online games are highlighted. We described the algorithm for games evaluating according to certain cognitive functions and their characteristics. An analysis of the effectiveness of evaluation is given. The results of completing by players of game sessions balanced on the chosen cognitive functions are described. A comparison of the effectiveness of stimulation of different cognitive functions depending on the motivation and choice of players is presented. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of online games in activation and stimulation of the cognitive functions of the human psyche. The research methods were based on our own developed algorithm for training success estimation, analysis of the results of online games, methods of mathematical statistics. The results of the study are presented on the basis of approbation of the developed training, conducted during two years. The analysis of the implementation of the training revealed the dependence of the effectiveness of stimulation of cognitive functions on the motivation and choice of the player. It is shown that when training on a balanced set of games, where all cognitive functions are present in equal shares, the effectiveness of training is not uniform and not balanced. It is investigated that the effectiveness of training depends on the quality of the game's effect on cognitive function. In order to take into account this quality of influence, all games were divided into two classes: actively shaping and passively stimulating. The distribution of games by classes was experimentally confirmed. A generalized analysis of the game sessions of all players for six months revealed cognitive functions which for the most players were better developed and more stimulated.

scholarly journals COGNITIVE FUNCTION OF METAPHORS IN LUKAS VERSES OF THE BIBLE

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ina Swari Jabat ◽  
Busmin Gurning ◽  
Didik Santoso
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Structural Function ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor Theory ◽  
Additional Function ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Metaphor Theory ◽  
Back Ground

This research is aimed to explore the cognitive function of metaphor in Jesus teaching in Lukas verses in parables. The research applies the Conceptual Metaphor Theory. The data is taken from fourteen verses of Lukas chapter 12 verse 35 to 48. The data analysis is applying the Creswell data analysis Hierarchal Data Analysis Technique. The data shows cognitive functions of Jesus’ Teachings to Bible’s readers. The data analysis revealed, there are 36 metaphors used. These metaphors are classified into categories of structural metaphors, ontological metaphors and orientational metaphors. The data show that Lukas chapter 12 verse 35 to 48 use the three cognitive function of metaphors, structural function, ontological function and orientational function. There is also with one additional function that there is metaphor formed as structural function but functioned as ontological function. And then, the metaphors are motivated by the similarity of experience between the metaphor and the back ground of the verses. Keywords: Conceptual Metaphors, Lukas Verses, Cognitive Function

Ecological and psychological factors in the cultural evolution of music

2021 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thom Scott-Phillips ◽  
Atsuko Tominaga ◽  
Helena Miton
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Evolution ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Cognition And Culture ◽  
Evolution Of Music ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The two target articles agree that processes of cultural evolution generate richness and diversity in music, but neither address this question in a focused way. We sketch one way to proceed – and hence suggest how the target articles differ not only in empirical claims, but also in their tacit, prior assumptions about the relationship between cognition and culture.

Testing Cognitive Function at the Bedside

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Hodges
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Functions

Chapter 5 covers testing cognitive function at the bedside, and how the first part of the examination should assess distributed cognitive functions; deficits in these indicate damage to particular brain systems, but not to focal areas of one hemisphere. The second part of the assessment should deal with more localized functions, divided into those associated with the dominant (i.e. the left side, in right-handers) and non-dominant hemispheres.

Are We Ready to investigate Cognitive Function of Fetal Brain? The Role of Advanced Four-dimensional Sonography

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aida Salihagic Kadic ◽  
Lara Spalldi Barisic
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Fetal Brain ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Functional Development ◽  
4D Ultrasound ◽  
And Behavior

ABATRACT Human brain is fascinating organ in so many ways. Some of its cognitive functions, such as ability to learn, memorize, think, percept different sensations, such as pain, to have emotion, process audio-visual inputs, and to coordinate reaction and movements have been subjects of studies for many years. Yet, till recently, we could only make assumptions about prenatal activities, interactions and its construction of complex structures in the time frame of antenatal life. With the prenatal assessment (sonoembryology, neurosonoembryology, KANET test, etc.) by latest advanced HDlive, Silhouette and Flow 3D/4D imaging there is possibility to follow in continuity normal structural and functional development from the early beginnings of “life” and on the other hand consider what might be different (not necessarily abnormal) and deviate from normal development and behavior. On this way, we are able to supplement knowledge of fundamental building blocks of development of fetal cognitive functions, to pay more attention and follow up fetuses at higher risk and finally find some of the possible origins of cognitive dysfunctions which may manifest in childhood or later in life.82 With the introduction of different 3D/4D ultrasound modes we have ability to observe all of this in vivo while emerging, and make “time-lapse” of fetal neurodevelopment and behavior in correlation to its cognitive functional development How to cite this article Kurjak A, Spalldi Barisic L, Stanojevic M, Salihagic Kadic A, Porovic S. Are We Ready to investigate Cognitive Function of Fetal Brain? The Role of Advanced Fourdimensional Sonography. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016;10(2):116-124.

scholarly journals Acute Exercise Improves Prefrontal Cortex but not Hippocampal Function in Healthy Adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 791-801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia C. Basso ◽  
Andrea Shang ◽  
Meredith Elman ◽  
Ryan Karmouta ◽  
Wendy A. Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Medial Temporal Lobe ◽  
Acute Exercise ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled

AbstractThe effects of acute aerobic exercise on cognitive functions in humans have been the subject of much investigation; however, these studies are limited by several factors, including a lack of randomized controlled designs, focus on only a single cognitive function, and testing during or shortly after exercise. Using a randomized controlled design, the present study asked how a single bout of aerobic exercise affects a range of frontal- and medial temporal lobe-dependent cognitive functions and how long these effects last. We randomly assigned 85 subjects to either a vigorous intensity acute aerobic exercise group or a video watching control group. All subjects completed a battery of cognitive tasks both before and 30, 60, 90, or 120 min after the intervention. This battery included the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised, the Modified Benton Visual Retention Test, the Stroop Color and Word Test, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, the Digit Span Test, the Trail Making Test, and the Controlled Oral Word Association Test. Based on these measures, composite scores were formed to independently assess prefrontal cortex- and hippocampal-dependent cognition. A three-way mixed Analysis of Variance was used to determine whether differences existed between groups in the change in cognitive function from pre- to post-intervention testing. Acute exercise improved prefrontal cortex- but not hippocampal-dependent functioning, with no differences found between delay groups. Vigorous acute aerobic exercise has beneficial effects on prefrontal cortex-dependent cognition and these effects can last for up to 2 hr after exercise. (JINS, 2015, 21, 791–801)

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