Cognition, Language & Emotions

This lecture explores the evolution of cognitive biases, emotions, and language, discussing topics such as cognitive evolution, memory, reasoning, decision-making, and the role of heuristics. It delves into the cognitive mechanisms behind optical illusions, memory failures, and the seven sins of memory. The instructor also covers the use of statistics and probabilities in decision-making, the confirmation bias, and the neglect of base rates. Additionally, the lecture examines the evolution of language, from the bee language to human language criteria, phonemes, and the 'Gavagai' problem. It concludes with a discussion on the origins of language, the role of emotions in social interactions, and the cultural differences in expressing emotions.