-
The Nature of Explanation
During this year, he published his book The Nature of Explanation. In this text, he laid the foundation for mental models. He believed that observational science is the best way to find explanations. He believed the brain’s power of predicting is an “immense adaptive and constructive significance.” Craik, K. 1943. The Nature of Explanation. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press. -
Mental Models
Mental models are the concept that the mind forms models based on reality, and then uses them to predict similar outcomes based on events you may witness. If an event happens, your brain will connect it to a solution it perceives will be correct. It is a cause and effect that your brain subconsciously does every day, but it can be applied to scientific theories that need to be tested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehtGMUGUEsw -
WWII
During WWII, he was brought in by Gordon Iles. Together they developed advancements in aircraft simulators. During this time, Craik researched cognitive effect fatigue had on piolets. Due to his work, the Medical Research Council established its Applied Psychology Unit at Cambridge, and appointed Craik as first Director. TWO Cambridge INVENTORS. raes-fsg.org.uk/18/the_cambridge_cockpit/. -
Period: to
Theory of the Human Operator in Control Systems I, II
Craik wrote a two part journal discussing the possibility of the creation of electrical and mechanical models that simulate humans and their behavior. Through this journal, he explains that man resembles a chain, and he is trying to replicate that chain. Craik, K. J. (1947). Theory of the Human Operator in Control Systems. Theory of the Human Operator in Control Systems, I.
Craik, K. J. (1948). Theory of the Human Operator in Control Systems. Theory of the Human Operator in Control Systems, II. -
Cognitive Science
Due to his writings, Kenneth Craik is considered one of the earliest practitioners of cognitive science. Cognitive Science is the study of the mind and its processes. After his theory started to received traction, cognitive science started to become popular in the 1950s causing the cognitive revolution. He focused on the mind being one of the best tools in science. According to Craik, our ability to predict is one of the most fundamental properties of thought.