Which phrase best captures the idea that cognitive processes are organized into distinct units?

• A. Modular architecture of cognitive processes
• B. Global architecture
• C. Distributed processing without modules
• D. Unified central processor

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is that cognition is organized into separate, specialized units. The best phrase to capture this is the modular architecture of cognitive processes because it explicitly conveys that different cognitive domains are handled by relatively autonomous modules with their own inputs, outputs, and rules. This perspective explains why people can show selective impairments: damage or disruption can affect one module, like language or face recognition, while others function normally, reflecting domain-specific processing.

In contrast, a global architecture suggests everything operates within one undifferentiated system, which doesn’t reflect distinct, separable processing streams. Distributed processing without modules implies there aren’t discrete boundaries between processing units, which again downplays modular separation. A unified central processor evokes a single general-purpose engine, not specialized, independent modules. So modular architecture best aligns with the view of cognition as composed of distinct units.