Dec1999 CO230 : Cognitive Science (Question 1)

(a)

Some cognitive scientists adopt an information processing approach to studying the brain.Briefly describe this approach,and justify whether you think it is appropriate or not.

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(b)

Symbolic and neuro-cognitive systems both have their strengths and weaknesses.For each of the following applications,state which approach is more appropriate and justify your answer.As part of your answer,you should also briefly describe how the approach would be applied to the application.(Note:marks will not be awarded if no
attempts are made to explain the rationale of the choice.)

(i)Character recognition.[3 marks ]

(ii)An expert system giving medical advice.[3 marks ]

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(c)

Given the following statements:

If it rains then I am wet.
I am not wet

What information can be inferred?(You should show all your working and identify the logical rules used.)

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(d)

For the game of tic-tac-toe (also known as noughts-and-crosses),there are two players, one plays the nought,the other,the cross.The players take it in turn to place their respective symbols in one of the unoccupied spaces on a 3x3 board.The first player who manages to place three of their symbols in line across any row,column or diagonal will win the game.The following diagram represents a mid-game board state:

1

1

1

O

1

1

X

O

1

(i)Generate the state-space diagram for the next move,clearly numbering each of the next possible moves for easy reference when answering parts (ii)and . [1 mark ]

(ii)From this set of next possible moves,identify those which should not be made, as they would lead to losing the game.Explain your choice.
[3 marks ]

(iii)From this set of next possible moves,identify the single best move to make. Explain your choice.[3 marks ]

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(e)

The fuzzy set for ages is represented as a graph in two dimensions. Explain the meaning of the slope marked as s in the diagram,with respect to the representation of age.You should refer to the start and end points of the slope,as well as to its angle.

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(f)

Most training is supervised,in that the elements in the training set are pairs containing the input to the system as well the desired output.In real life,not all of what we humans are able to do has been taught to us in a supervised manner: we have learnt some concepts through unsupervised experience,when the desired output has not been explicitly stated.

Suggest an example of a classfication task that may be performed by humans,where the concept has been learnt in an unsupervised manner.

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(g)

Speech can be generated by computer systems through two means: speech synthesis and pre-recorded speech .Briefly describe two problems of pre-recorded speech.

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(h)

There are proponents and opponents to the concept of intelligent machines.In your opinion,what is meant by “intelligence ”?According to your definition of intelligence, explain whether you think intelligent machines could exist.

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