Attention, Representation, and Human Performance by Masmoudi, Slim; Yun Dai, David; Naceur, Abdelmajid;

Short description:

This book represents a rare occasion when scholars from Europe, North Africa and North America share their research findings on an important theme: integration.

Despite different research foci and methodologies, there is a strong consensus that we need to understand a psychological phenomenon in all its complexity, involving its neural, psychological, and social dimensions, involving perception and conception, and decision processes, involving motivation, emotion, and cognition – all in complex interaction.

This cutting-edge volume reports new advances in integrating cognition, emotion, and motivation to foster a better understanding of human functioning in a wide range of situations, incorporating the most recent neuropsychological research and cognitive and affective sciences.

Long description:

This volume presents a rare occasion where scholars from Europe, North Africa and North America share their research programs and findings revolving around an important theme: integration. Despite different research foci and methodologies, there is a strong consensus that we need to understand a psychological phenomenon in all its complexity, involving its neural, psychological, and social dimensions, involving perception and conception, and decision processes, involving motivation, emotion, and cognition – all in complex interaction.

This volume is intended to reach out to basic and applied psychological researchers, cognitive and affective scientists, learning scientists, biologists, sociologists, neuropsychological researchers, and philosophers, who have an interest in an integrated understanding of the mind at work, particularly pertaining to explanations of real-life phenomena that have social and practical significance. A distinct feature of this volume is that most research involved is heavily built on neuropsychological evidence, while loyal to the experimental tradition with its focus on functional behavior in various situations and conditions that mimic or resemble real life. The viability of this approach to doing cutting-edge research that is relevant and applicable to many real-life phenomena should also make this body of research useful for a wide range of human endeavor, from religion, education, to industrial and organizational psychology.

"An excellent book for anyone interested in how emotional, cognitive, and motivational processes are interrelated. ... It covers a wide berth of cognitive psychology while maintaining an organizational theme. Many of the chapters also provide suggestions for research opportunities. ... The book would provide an interesting and enlightening challenge for graduate students. ... An ambitious, interesting, and timely book." - Benton H. Pierce and Melissa J. Hawthorne, both Texas A&M University-Commerce, USA in PsycCRITIQUES

"This book brings together an impressive list of international scholars with expertise at the intersection of emotion, motivation, and cognition. The chapters do an excellent job of highlighting the interconnections among these topics. This synthesis is sure to be of great value to anyone engaged in the study of complex cognitive processes." - Arthur B. Markman, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, USA

"This timely volume addresses a wide range of psychological phenomena with a distinct focus on the cognitive, emotional, and motivational functions of the human mind such as memory, attention, decision making, perception, neuroaesthetics, problem solving, and creativity. Much of the research reported in this volume benefits from a biological perspective. Surely an important read for those interested in an integrated understanding of the working of the mind." - Irving Biederman, Ph.D., University of Southern California, USA

Table of Contents:

S. Masmoudi, Toward an Integrative Understanding of Cognitive, Emotional, and Motivational Processes. Part 1. The Role of Emotion and Motivation in Attention and Perception. A. Baddeley, How Does Emotion Influence Working Memory? S. Frühholz, D. Grandjean, Dynamical Interactions of Attention and Emotion: A Cognitive Neuroscience Approach Through Neural Network Connectivity. M. Mermillod, Investigating the Psychological and Neural Basis of Emotional Processing. S. Gil, S. Droit-Volet, How Do Emotional Facial Expressions Influence Our Perception of Time? Part 2. Representation and Processing, and the Role of Emotion and Motivation. A.-L. Gilet, C. Jallais, Mood’s Influence on Semantic Memory: Valence or Arousal? R. Batt, C. van Leeuwen, Neuroaesthetics and the Art of Representation. M. Sklad, Motivation and Construction of Retrospective Opinions. G. Morgavi, L. Marconi, M. Morando, P. Cutugno, From Human Creative Cognitive Processes to Adaptable Artificial System Design. Y.I. Russell, R.I.M. Dunbar, F. Gobet, Euphoria Versus Dysphoria: Differential Cognitive Roles in Religion. Part 3. The Role of Emotion and Motivation in Human Performance. E. Clément, Is it Possible to Solve A Problem Without Emotion? N. Bonnardel, Cognition and Emotion in Creative Design. S. Masmoudi, The Decision Process is by Definition Irrational. D.Y. Dai, R. Sun, Where is the Unity of Attention, Representation, and Human Performance? A Commentary.