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Cognitive Science Glossary: V–Z

Cognitive science terms V–Z: valence, validity, bias, virtual reality, visual processing, working memory, and other key cognitive science concepts.

This section contains key cognitive science concepts starting with letters V–Z.

V

Valence

The positive or negative dimension of affective experience. Emotions can be described through valence and arousal.

Examples:

  • Positive valence: joy, satisfaction
  • Negative valence: sadness, fear

Validity

A measure's or test's ability to measure what it's intended to measure.

Types:

  • Content validity: Does the measure cover different aspects of the phenomenon?
  • Construct validity: Does the measure assess the intended construct?
  • Criterion validity: Does the measure predict other relevant measures?

Virtual

Experience or environment produced by computer simulation or modeling.

Virtual reality (VR): Immersive technology creating a three-dimensional artificial environment.

Visual Processing

Processing of visual information in the brain, progressing from the retina to the visual cortex.

Stages:

  1. Retinal processing
  2. Primary visual cortex (V1)
  3. Higher visual areas (V2, V4, IT)

Two pathways:

  • Ventral pathway ("what"): Object recognition
  • Dorsal pathway ("where/how"): Location and action

W

Working Memory

A short-term system keeping information active and processing it. Capacity is limited (approx. 4–7 items). Alan Baddeley's model includes:

  • Phonological loop – Linguistic information
  • Visuospatial sketchpad – Visual and spatial information
  • Central executive – Coordinates and controls
  • Episodic buffer – Integrates information

X, Y, Z

Bottom-up vs. Top-down Processing

Bottom-up (data-driven): Processing proceeds from sensory data upward toward more abstract representations. "What the senses tell."

Top-down (concept-driven): Prior knowledge, expectations, and context guide processing. "What you expect to see."

Example: You see something in dim light. Bottom-up: Outlines, shadows. Top-down: "I'm in a forest, that could be a bear"—expectation shapes perception.

Additional Resources

This glossary is based on a cognitive science vocabulary compiled by Otto Lappi (2010).

See also: