Which trio describes the three approaches to understanding the functional architecture of cognitive modules?

• A. Associations, Dissociations and Double Dissociations
• B. Localization, Lateralization and Plasticity
• C. Brain regions, Pathways and Networks
• D. Memory, Attention and Language

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how researchers infer how cognitive processes are organized in the brain by looking at patterns of deficits across tasks. An association is seen when impairments tend to occur together across functions, suggesting these functions may share a common substrate or rely on related resources. A dissociation shows that one function can be impaired while another remains intact, implying these functions are supported by separate processes. A double dissociation is the strongest evidence: one patient shows impairment in function A but not B, and another patient shows the opposite pattern, meaning A and B operate independently and rely on distinct neural systems. Together, these three patterns form the methodological toolkit for uncovering the functional architecture of cognitive modules. The other options describe different ideas—where or how the brain is organized, structural components, or broad cognitive domains—but they do not constitute this trio of approaches used to map modular structure.