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SUMMARY:A core brain system in human intelligence - Prof John Duncan\, MRC
  Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit
DTSTART:20160209T181500Z
DTEND:20160209T191500Z
UID:TALK63437@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Andrew Carlotti
DESCRIPTION:Tests of simple problem-solving are widely used as measures of
  human intelligence\, and indeed\, performance in these tests is widely pr
 edictive of success in all manner of laboratory and everyday activities. B
 eginning from this observation\, now around a century old\, I address the 
 modern cognitive neuroscience of intelligent behaviour. In human brain ima
 ging studies\, a common or multiple-demand (MD) pattern of frontal and par
 ietal activity is associated with diverse cognitive demands\, and with sta
 ndard problem-solving tests.  In complex behaviour\, goals are achieved by
  assembling a series of sub-tasks\, creating structured mental programs\, 
 and based on behavioural studies of problem-solving\, I suggest that MD co
 rtex plays a key role in defining and controlling the parts of such progra
 ms.  In agreement\, physiological studies in human and monkey brain show t
 he activity of MD cortex in dynamic construction of cognitive or attention
 al episodes.  By these means\, I suggest\, the MD system provides a critic
 al neurophysiological basis for intelligent thought and action.
LOCATION:Winstanley Lecture Theatre
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