The Cognitive Neuroscience of Learning, Introduction and Intent

© 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. All rights reserved. This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the cognitive neuroscience of learning. It illustrates that the associative analysis of learning is flourishing, with highlighting recent advances that have been made by cognitive and behavioral neuroscientists. The book provides a synthesis of how cognitive and behavioral neuroscientists have contributed to understanding of learning that can be said to have an associative origin. It also explains, in different ways, how crosstalk can be mutually beneficial. The book considers how the brain performs the functions described by associative analysis. It also focuses on both the analytic tools for describing the functions and a description of how these functions are implemented at the level of tissue. The book helps to bridge some gaps between research that has originated from different philosophical orientations and involved different levels of analysis.