Question

This chapter discusses ideas about a human/computer analogy in terms of information processing. What do you think- how are humans and computers both similar and different in how they process information? What are the limitations of this analogy and, thus, the challenges that will be faced when studying cognition of the mind?

Answer 1

In the recent decades came the wave to compare human brain with computers. Both have some similarities and dissimilarities. So let,s have look:

Similarities:

Both use electrical signals to send/give the messages/commands.

Both have a memory that can enhanced and expanded.

Both can do maths and other logical reasoning related tasks.

Both can be changed and modified.

Last, both are susceptible to damage.

Dissimilarities:

Information in computer memory is accessed by giving its exact memory address. In contrast, the brain uses content-addressable memory, such as information from the memory can be accessed through from closely related concepts.

Short term memory has unlimited capacity to store information unlike RAM.

The distinction of hardware/software is not applicable to human brain.

Processing and memory storage is done by the same parts o the brain unlikely computers where processing is done by CPU and RAM.