Notes made on the lecture topic Machine Learning (computer vs humans) for the module Cognitive Psychology 4PSYC002W for the BSc Psychology degree programme taught at the University of Westminster.
Man or machine?
Today’s question is extending a little bit beyond cognitive psychology – we are
looking at cognitive science, looking beyond humans.
The whole way we study thinking and behaviour mirrors the computer behaviour
developments in the 1960s.
There was some parallel between development of computers and how it provides us
with models on studying human behaviour.
Are computers intelligent?
Terminator
The film Terminator shows how robots and machines are often portrayed in the arts
and culture side as scary monsters where it will follow the orders regardless.
Plan
Comparing machines and humans
How do we represent knowledge?
What is AI?
How do we know when a machine is intelligent?
Computers vs humans
Can computers be used to model human models of behaviour?
Example: calculators serve the purpose to do something that we find difficult
but it is also error-prone.
How can we use human behaviour to produce better machines?
Washing machines and things like that are technically computers. They take
over the jobs we don’t like doing and/or make our lives easier.
Computers are better at doing exactly what they are told but are not better at
doing something outside their domain because it requires creativity.
To what extent is a machine able to go beyond their algorithm?
Is machine showing good adaptability to new situations or is it just the use of
good algorithm?
Are machines able to deal with novel situations and get better at it?
, Activity 1
List the activities or processes which you think humans are particularly better at than
computers:
Singing
Emotions – they drive us e.g. motivation to get a degree, to earn more money,
make our parents proud etc. these are things that the machine don’t have.
Empathy
Emotional intelligence
Cooking
Dancing
Understanding
Compassion
Feelings
Love
Communication
Creativity
Independent thinking
Exercise
Motor skills
Activity 2
What things do you think computers are particularly good at than humans?
Mathematics
Accuracy
Fast process – especially at doing repetitive things
Calculations
Not good at complex solutions
Fast food taking orders
Memory
Efficiency
“Thinking” machines
Can they increase what they know?
It can deal with extensive volumes, but is that to do with creativity?
It’s exact – they don’t invent things that they have forgotten
Skills enhancement
Unlike machines, we get better at problem solving – we can apply previous
knowledge to new solutions. We can deal with unknown situations (Piaget).
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