Human Intellect and Cognitive Science ― Toward a General Unified Theory of Intelligence

The advancement of knowledge concerning the complexities of human intellective processes can best be achieved by combining theory and research from the disciplines of cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence. Wagman explores various aspects of these disciplines to further his ideas. He examines the nature of the human intellect and proposes a theory of representation and intelligence that is applicable to human, computer, and animal cognition. He also evaluates theory and research concerned with structure and process in human reasoning and human problem solving. Several scientific discovery systems including BACON, FARENHEIT, and IDS are described in depth. The ability of these systems to emulate solutions to 10 types of scientific problems is examined. The capacity theory of language comprehension is also presented and extended to the domain of cognitive processes.

MORTON WAGMAN is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Illinois and is a Diplomate in Counseling Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology. He is the originator of PLATO DCS, a Dilemma Counseling system, used for research, service, and instructional purposes. Wagman's research on computer counseling has been published widely in scientific and professional journals. His recent books include The Sciences of Cognition (Praeger, 1995) and Cognitive Psychology and Artificial Intelligence (Praeger, 1993).