What: Reasoning Ability: Neural Mechanisms, Development, and Plasticity

When: Monday, June 20th. Time: 11am

Who: Silvia A. Bunge, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Psychology & Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California at Berkeley

Where: BCBL, Paseo Mikeletegi 69, Floor 2.

Summary:

‘The capacity to reason with complex information and to solve novel problems, often referred to as fluid reasoning, is a central characteristic of human cognition. During childhood, the emerging capacity to reason supports learning across multiple domains. I will argue, based on a series of neuroscientific studies in adults, that a key component of fluid reasoning is the ability to jointly consider multiple relations between mental representations, or relational integration. I will then discuss the changes in brain structure and function that support reasoning development over childhood and adolescence. Finally, I will present evidence for improved reasoning ability after intensive training, both in children and in college students.’