The following text is from a cognitive psychology article.
The extended mind thesis proposes that cognitive processes can extend beyond brain and body to incorporate external tools and environments. A person with a smartphone, for instance, may outsource memory functions to the device. Critics argue this conflates constitutive and causal relations: that external tools merely cause cognitive effects rather than constituting cognitive processes themselves. The debate hinges on how narrowly or broadly one defines the boundaries of cognition.
What is the primary purpose of the text?
To prove conclusively that smartphones are part of human cognition
To explain a philosophical thesis and the central objection to it
To compare different types of smartphone applications
To provide advice for improving memory function
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. The text explains the extended mind thesis and its central critique (constitutive vs. causal distinction).
- Evidence: The text explains the thesis: "cognitive processes can extend beyond brain." It explains the critique: "Critics argue this conflates constitutive and causal relations."
- Reasoning: The passage defines a controversial idea and then explains the main argument against it.
- Conclusion: The purpose is to explain thesis and critique.
💡 Strategy: Summarize: Mind is outside? (Thesis) vs. No, that's just a tool (Critique).
Choice A is incorrect because proof isn't provided. Choice C is incorrect because apps aren't compared. Choice D is incorrect because memory advice isn't given.