What did Marr propose about modularity in cognitive processes?

• A. Cognitive processes are composed of subparts with mutual independence
• B. The brain functions as a single, undifferentiated system
• C. Modules are completely independent with no interaction
• D. There is no evolutionary advantage to modularity

Answer: (A)

Modularity in cognitive processing suggests that complex tasks are built from specialized subparts that operate with a degree of independence. Marr framed cognitive processing, especially vision, as a staged decomposition where each stage applies a specific computation to transform input into more abstract representations. This view implies that different subparts handle particular kinds of information and can function relatively independently, even though they connect to form a complete system. In Marr’s approach, the processing pipeline—moving from raw input to progressively higher-level representations—embodies this modular, stepwise organization, with each stage contributing its own representational format and computation.

The idea contrasts with seeing the brain as a single, undifferentiated system, and it also allows for interaction between stages rather than imagining complete isolation. It also aligns with the notion that such structured organization offers functional and evolutionary advantages by enabling specialization, robustness, and clearer information flow.