modularity

n. a theory of the human mind in which the various components of cognition are characterized as independent modules, each with its own specific domain and particular properties. It was first proposed by U.S. philosopher Jerry Fodor (1935– ) in his book The Modularity of Mind (1983). A related notion had earlier been advanced by Noam Chomsky in his theory of the task specificity of language, which characterizes the human language faculty as a unique “mental organ” differing qualitatively from other aspects of cognition. More recently, evolutionary psychologists have shown interest in the idea that the various modules may be adaptive specializations. Compare cognitive grammar.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

December 18th 2024

endosomatic current

an electrical current produced by a living organism.