Biological evolution and human cognition are analogous information processing systems
The mechanisms that govern biological evolution and human cognition are analogous, as both follow the same principles of natural information processing systems. In this article, we describe the following five principles that provide an analogy between biological evolution and human cognition: (a) Ra...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330345/full |
| _version_ | 1797365494727049216 |
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| author | Juan C. Castro-Alonso Alejandro A. Hidalgo John Sweller |
| author_facet | Juan C. Castro-Alonso Alejandro A. Hidalgo John Sweller |
| author_sort | Juan C. Castro-Alonso |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The mechanisms that govern biological evolution and human cognition are analogous, as both follow the same principles of natural information processing systems. In this article, we describe the following five principles that provide an analogy between biological evolution and human cognition: (a) Randomness as Genesis Principle and (b) Borrowing and Reorganizing Principle, which indicate how natural information processing systems obtain information; (c) Narrow Limits of Change Principle and (d) Information Store Principle, which indicate how information is processed and stored; and (e) Environmental Organizing and Linking Principle, which indicate how stored information is used to generate actions appropriate to an environment. In human cognition, these analogs only apply to cognitive processes associated with biologically secondary knowledge, the knowledge typically taught in educational institutions. Based on these five principles, cognitive load theory researchers have provided diverse prescriptions to optimize instructional activities and materials. We conclude by discussing general instructional implications and future research directions based on this analogy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T16:49:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-23a340f53ebf47b88f77597bfc2644e2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T16:49:48Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-23a340f53ebf47b88f77597bfc2644e22024-01-05T04:51:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782024-01-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.13303451330345Biological evolution and human cognition are analogous information processing systemsJuan C. Castro-Alonso0Alejandro A. Hidalgo1John Sweller2School of Education, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United KingdomSchool of Pharmacy, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, ChileSchool of Education, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaThe mechanisms that govern biological evolution and human cognition are analogous, as both follow the same principles of natural information processing systems. In this article, we describe the following five principles that provide an analogy between biological evolution and human cognition: (a) Randomness as Genesis Principle and (b) Borrowing and Reorganizing Principle, which indicate how natural information processing systems obtain information; (c) Narrow Limits of Change Principle and (d) Information Store Principle, which indicate how information is processed and stored; and (e) Environmental Organizing and Linking Principle, which indicate how stored information is used to generate actions appropriate to an environment. In human cognition, these analogs only apply to cognitive processes associated with biologically secondary knowledge, the knowledge typically taught in educational institutions. Based on these five principles, cognitive load theory researchers have provided diverse prescriptions to optimize instructional activities and materials. We conclude by discussing general instructional implications and future research directions based on this analogy.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330345/fullevolution by natural selectiongenetic and epigenetic systemshuman cognition and cognitive architecturelong-term memory and working memorycognitive load theory |
| spellingShingle | Juan C. Castro-Alonso Alejandro A. Hidalgo John Sweller Biological evolution and human cognition are analogous information processing systems Frontiers in Psychology evolution by natural selection genetic and epigenetic systems human cognition and cognitive architecture long-term memory and working memory cognitive load theory |
| title | Biological evolution and human cognition are analogous information processing systems |
| title_full | Biological evolution and human cognition are analogous information processing systems |
| title_fullStr | Biological evolution and human cognition are analogous information processing systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biological evolution and human cognition are analogous information processing systems |
| title_short | Biological evolution and human cognition are analogous information processing systems |
| title_sort | biological evolution and human cognition are analogous information processing systems |
| topic | evolution by natural selection genetic and epigenetic systems human cognition and cognitive architecture long-term memory and working memory cognitive load theory |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330345/full |
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