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The Search for Simplicity: A Fundamental Cognitive Principle?
Abstract
It is proposed that the cognitive system imposes patterns on the world according to a simplicity principle: Choose the pattern that provides the briefest representation of the available information. The simplicity principle is normatively justified—patterns that support simple representations provide good explanations and predictions on the basis of which the agent can make decisions and actions. Moreover, the simplicity principle appears to be consistent with empirical data from many psychological domains, including perception, similarity, learning, memory, and reasoning. Thus, the simplicity principle promises to serve as the starting point for the rational analysis of a wide range of cognitive processes, in Anderson's (1990, 1991a) sense. The simplicity principle also provides a framework for integrating a wide range of existing psychological proposals.
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Cites
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Cited by
What makes us tick? Functional and neural mechanisms of interval timing
Buhusi, C. V., & Meck, W. H. (2005) · Nature Reviews Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/nrn1764 · Cited by 2,062
The neural basis of temporal processing
Mauk, M. D., & Buonomano, D. V. (2004) · Annual Review of Neuroscience · doi:10.1146/annurev.neuro.27.070203.144247 · Cited by 976
The neural representation of time
Ivry, R. B., & Spencer, R. M. (2004) · Current Opinion in Neurobiology · doi:10.1016/j.conb.2004.03.013 · Cited by 829
The cognitive functions of language
Carruthers, P. (2002) · Behavioral and Brain Sciences · doi:10.1017/s0140525x02000122 · Cited by 728
Wittmann, M. (2009) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2009.0003 · Cited by 349
Metadata
- Authors
- Chater, N.
- Venue
- The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology A
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1999-04-01
- Volume
- 52
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 273-302
- ISSN
- 0272-4987 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-0740
- OpenAlex
- W2095063924
- Cited by
- 327
- References
- 17
- FWCI
- 19.05
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
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