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Abstract Recent advances in philosophical thinking about consciousness, such as cognitive phenomenology and mereological analysis, provide a framework that facilitates using computational models to explore issues surrounding the nature of consciousness. Here we suggest that, in particular, studying the computational mechanisms of working memory and its cognitive control is highly likely to identify computational correlates of consciousness and thereby lead to a deeper understanding of the nature of consciousness. We describe our recent computational models of human working memory and propose that three computational correlates of consciousness follow from the results of this work: itinerant attractor sequences, top-down gating, and very fast weight changes. Our current investigation is focused on evaluating whether these three correlates are sufficient to create more complex working memory models that encompass compositionality and basic causal inference. We conclude that computational models of working memory are likely to be a fruitful approach to advancing our understanding of consciousness in general and in determining the long-term potential for development of an artificial consciousness specifically.
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A counting intervention promotes fair sharing in preschoolers
Abstract Recent work has probed the developmental mechanisms that promote fair sharing. This work investigated 2.5‐ to 5.5‐year‐olds’ (N = 316; 52% female; 79% White; data collected 2016–2018) sharing behavior in relation to three cognitive correlates: number knowledge, working memory, and cognitive control. In contrast to working memory and cognitive control, number knowledge was uniquely associated with fair sharing even after controlling for the other correlates and for age. Results also showed a causal effect: After a 5‐min counting intervention (vs. a control), children improved their fair sharing behavior from pre‐test to post‐test. Findings are discussed in light of how social, cognitive, and motivational factors impact sharing behavior.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1920660
- PAR ID:
- 10370358
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Child Development
- Volume:
- 93
- Issue:
- 5
- ISSN:
- 0009-3920
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: p. 1365-1379
- Size(s):
- p. 1365-1379
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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