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The Social-Emotional Brain

Unplugging the Computer Metaphor

Freudian Psychology
Why People Lie on Couches During Therapy

Eddie Harmon-Jones Ph.D. on July 18, 2023

Freud had a relatively psychologically uninteresting reason for the sofa, but research suggests that lying down influences psychological processes that may improve therapy.

Freud had a relatively psychologically uninteresting reason for the sofa, but research suggests that lying down influences psychological processes that may improve therapy.

Neuroscience
Responses to Oddballs: A Robust Finding in Neuroscience

Eddie Harmon-Jones Ph.D. on July 22, 2009

One of the most robust findings in neuroscience research is increased brain activity to the unexpected. This finding would not be predicted by a computer model of how the brain functions. However, it fits well with a model that emphasizes motivation.

One of the most robust findings in neuroscience research is increased brain activity to the unexpected. This finding would not be predicted by a computer model of how the brain functions. However, it fits well with a model that emphasizes motivation.

Neuroscience
Unplugging the Computer Metaphor

Eddie Harmon-Jones Ph.D. on April 29, 2009

The cognitive revolution began in the 1960s, and since then psychological research has been dominated by an information-processing model of brain function based on the computer metaphor. Recent social and affective neuroscience research shows that a computer is an inadequate and misleading metaphor for the human brain. The brain is much too hot and wet to be represented by a computer.

The cognitive revolution began in the 1960s, and since then psychological research has been dominated by an information-processing model of brain function based on the computer metaphor. Recent social and affective neuroscience research shows that a computer is an inadequate and misleading metaphor for the human brain. The brain is much too hot and wet to be represented by a computer.