The theory of mind tells us that specialized neurons in our brain allow us to generate hypotheses about how the minds of others work. This allows us to anticipate the behaviors and intentionality of others and, from that, to direct our behavior. It is therefore an important skill in the acquisition of knowledge and behaviour, and has been attributed an essential value in adaptive terms.

But how does this happen? Modular theory suggests that the process of mentalization described above is possible because our mind works through different modules. We will see below what the modular theory of mind is about and how it explains our cognitive processes .

Modular theory of mind: the psyche as a set of processes

Among other things, the more traditional approach to the theory of mind suggested that the mind is a multi-purpose tool, capable of being activated by any type of task or information . Thus, regardless of whether we are presented with a logical-mathematical, linguistic, physical or social problem, our mind (as a unitary system) sets in motion mechanisms for perceiving and solving the problem.

In contrast to this conception, the modular approach holds that the mind is not a unitary or monolithic tool. Rather, it is a set of tools, each specializing in a specific problem, task or information. Beyond being a single multipurpose tool, the mind is conceived as a set of processes and systems specialized in solving different types of problems (García García, 2008).

As such, each process would have a certain structure and competence. And for the same reason, each process is conceived as a different “module”. Thus, the mind would be built by a set of modules specialized in a certain type of process or activity.

Development and background

In 1986, the philosopher and psycholinguist Jerry Fodor proposed that the mind is structured in “innate modules”. He defined the latter as input systems (i.e., perceptual systems). According to Fodor, modules function independently and in a specialized way in one domain. Moreover, they are automatic and fast processes.

But our mind is not only made up of different encapsulated modules that are independent of each other. On the contrary, Fodor also proposed that in the middle of the modules there is a central system, whose task is to receive the information from the input systems (i.e. the different modules). In other words, there is a central system that is in charge of integrating and registering the information processed by each module, and from this, we can generate processes and complex functions such as memory .

This is how Fodor developed the concept of “modularity”. Through this he explained how perceptive and cognitive processes work as a set of modules with specialized tasks. One of the examples where the modular theory of mind is reflected is the theory of multiple intelligences, and another is the metaphor of the computer processor applied to the theory of mind.

Does our mind work like a Swiss Army knife?

One of the most widely used ways in theory of mind to explain the modular approach is the Swiss Army Knife. It was proposed in 1994 by psychologist Leda Cosmides and anthropologist John Tooby , both specialized in evolutionary psychology.

What they suggest is that, traditionally, the theory of the mind held that the latter worked like a common razor that we can take with us to solve any problem, from opening a can to cutting a piece of bread. In contrast, the modular theory of mind holds that the latter operates like a “Swiss army knife”, which is also a hand tool, but is composed of different tools with different functions.

You can have a knife, scissors, knives of different sizes, a flashlight, among others; and each one is useful to specifically solve some problems (and not others). In fact, its usefulness is precisely this: an extreme specialization of each component , which allows to efficiently solve specific problems.

The physical bases of the mental modules

According to this theory, the modular structure and organization would be the result of a complex phylogenetic process that has allowed us to develop different structures and mechanisms. At the same time, this development occurs in an adaptive way , that is, it is the consequence of the constant modification of problems and tasks that our environment presents us with.

Thus, we generate new and different needs as we develop in a given context, which ends up building diverse mental modules. The latter, translated into neurophysiological language, corresponds to brain plasticity and the connectionist model that holds that the information received is stored in neuronal circuits. In this way, a part of the modular theory maintains that the physiological basis of the nodules are precisely the clusters and the neuronal networks; and in the same way, the psychophysical basis of the modular development would be the brain plasticity.

Bibliographic references:

  • Bacáicoa Ganuza, F. (2002). The modular mind. Revista de Psicodidáctica, 13: 1-24.
  • Robbins, P. (2017). Modularity of Mind. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved October 3, 2018. Available at https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/modularity-mind/#CaseForMassModu.
  • García García, E. (2008). Neuropsychology and education. From mirror neurons to the theory of mind. Journal of Psychology and Education, 1(3): 69-89.
  • Gómez Echeverry, I. (2010). Cognitive Science, Theory of Mind and Autism. Pensamiento psicológico, 8(15): 113-124.