Computational modelling techniques have made an important contribution to psychology and the brain sciences in general. The techniques that have been applied to such modelling can be divided into symbolic and sub-symbolic approaches. The former of these is largely dominated by the ``good old fashioned AI'' tradition, as exemplified by the unified theories - SOAR and EPIC, while the latter is dominated by neural network based techniques.
A central issue in this field is the choice of abstraction level. For example, there is important research on relating different levels of abstraction, e.g. relating symbolic and sub-symbolic models using hybrid approaches and developing lower level connectionist models, such as the anatomically prescribed neural network models of Arbib and Rolls.
As part of an ongoing collaboration between the Computing Laboratory and Psychologists at the Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge, Experimental Psychology at Cambridge and Experimental Psychology at Birkbeck College (University of London) computational modelling of attentional processes and visuo-motor control are being investigated using a number of different techniques. For example, process algebra and logic are being used to model the, so called, attentional blink, while neural network modelling of inhibitory processes is being investigated.
From this platform of existing research, there are a number of different directions for PhD research that could be undertaken. These include,