Cognitive modeling is a central discipline at the intersection of cognitive science, psychology and computer science. This discipline uses formal, mathematical and computer models to investigate fundamental principles of cognitive processes and behavior. By comparing data generated by these models with empirical data, the adequacy of the models' theoretical underpinnings can be tested. Furthermore, model-specific parameters can be used to provide a differentiated description of cognitive processes and help to better understand effects attributed to situational factors and individual differences. The seminar encompasses a range of methods used in cognitive modelling, cognitive architectures and the modeling of different cognitive sub-systems (memory, attention, emotion, attitude, decision making, logical thinking). Furthermore, the use of these methods in different application areas will be discussed.

Participation and Requirements

The participants are expected to participate regularly. Each participant will prepare a talk on a (sub-)topic of cognitive modeling based on relevant literature (usually a scientific article) and present it in class. Furthermore, every participants needs to submit a short term paper (a summary in scientific writing) by the end of the term on the selected topic.

This seminar is carried out in cooperation between the psychology department and computer science.

From the psychology department:

Prof. Dr. Oliver Wilhelm
Dr. Florian Schmitz

From the AI department (computer science):

Juniorprof. Dr. Birte Glimm 
Dr. Marvin Schiller

The seminar will take place weekly on Thursdays 2 - 3.30pm (14:00-15:30).

Please note: The first class is on 23.4.2015 (second week of the semester). The seminar takes place in room  45.2.103 in "Uni West". 

General literature on the topic:

• Sun, Ron (2008). The Cambridge Handbook of Computational Psychology. Cambridge University Press. [Verlagswebseite] [Im Online-Katalog des KIZ]
• Busemeyer, Jerome R. & Diederich, Adele (2010). Cognitive modeling. Sage.
• Lewandowsky, Stephan & Farrell, Simon (2011). Computational modeling in cognition : Principles and practice. Sage. Im Online-Katalog des KIZ

The author's copy of Sun (2008) [Publisher] can be read on the Homepage of Prof. Ron Sun: Introduction (Please note: this is an external link).