How the Human Brain and the Smartphone SoC Compare and Contrast: A Cognitive Psychology Perspective

Craig Adebanji
5 min readJan 22, 2024

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Have you ever wondered how the human brain and the smartphone system on chip (SoC) are similar and different? How do they process information, store information, learn from experience, and solve problems? How do they relate to the field of cognitive psychology, which studies the mental processes of the brain?

If you are a psychology student currently studying cognitive psychology, or a non-technical audience who is fascinated by the brain, cognition, and technology, then this article series is for you. In this series, I will explore the brain vs SoC comparison from the perspective of cognitive psychology, and show you how these two complex systems perform different functions and tasks.

In this first article, I will introduce the main concepts and methods of cognitive psychology, and how it relates to the brain and the SoC. I will also explain what a smartphone SoC is, and what are its main components and functions. Then, I will state the main purpose and objectives of this series, and provide an overview of the topics that I will cover in the next articles.

What is Cognitive Psychology and How Does It Relate to the Brain and the SoC?

Cognitive psychology is a branch of psychology that studies the mental processes of the brain, such as perception, attention, memory, learning, thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, language, and emotion. Cognitive psychology aims to understand how the brain acquires, processes, stores, and uses information, and how it influences behavior and cognition.

Cognitive psychology uses various methods and techniques to study the brain and its functions, such as experiments, observations, surveys, interviews, case studies, brain imaging, and computer simulations. Cognitive psychology also draws from other disciplines, such as neuroscience, artificial intelligence, computer science, linguistics, philosophy, and education.

Cognitive psychology is relevant to the brain vs SoC comparison, because both the brain and the SoC are systems that perform different cognitive functions and tasks, such as processing information, storing memory, learning from experience, and solving problems. By comparing and contrasting the brain and the SoC, we can learn more about how these two systems work, and what are their strengths and weaknesses.

What is a Smartphone SoC and What are Its Main Components and Functions?

A smartphone SoC, or system on chip, is a single chip that integrates different components and functions that are essential for the operation of a smartphone. A smartphone SoC typically includes the following components:

  • A CPU, or central processing unit, which is the main processor of the smartphone. It executes instructions and commands, and performs calculations and operations. The CPU is responsible for running the operating system, the applications, and the user interface of the smartphone.
  • A GPU, or graphics processing unit, which is the processor that handles the graphics and visuals of the smartphone. It renders images, videos, animations, and games, and optimizes the display and performance of the smartphone. The GPU is also involved in some computational tasks, such as machine learning and image processing.
  • An NPU, or neural processing unit, which is a specialized processor that accelerates and optimizes artificial neural networks, which are algorithms that mimic the structure and function of the brain. The NPU is used for tasks that require high-speed and low-power processing, such as face recognition, voice recognition, natural language processing, and computer vision.
  • Other components, such as memory, storage, modem, camera, audio, sensor, and power management, which provide additional functions and features for the smartphone, such as communication, multimedia, security, and battery life.

A smartphone SoC is designed to provide a high-performance, low-power, and compact solution for the smartphone, by integrating different components and functions into a single chip. A smartphone SoC is also designed to be compatible and adaptable with different smartphone models, operating systems, and applications.

What is the Purpose and Objectives of This Series and What Topics Will I Cover in the Next Articles?

The purpose of this series is to explore the brain vs SoC comparison from the perspective of cognitive psychology, and to show you how these two complex systems perform different functions and tasks. The objectives of this series are to:

  • Explain the main concepts and methods of cognitive psychology, and how it relates to the brain and the SoC
  • Compare and contrast the brain and the SoC in terms of their components, functions, and tasks
  • Highlight the similarities and differences between the brain and the SoC in terms of their strengths and weaknesses
  • Provide examples and illustrations of how the brain and the SoC perform different cognitive functions and tasks
  • Discuss the implications and applications of the brain vs SoC comparison for psychology, technology, and society

In the next articles, I will cover the following topics:

In each article, I will explain the main concepts and theories of cognitive psychology related to each topic, and compare and contrast the brain and the SoC in terms of how they perform each function and task. I will also provide examples and illustrations of how the brain and the SoC process information, store memory, learn from experience, and solve problems.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this introduction to the brain vs SoC comparison from the perspective of cognitive psychology. I hope you learned something new and interesting about the brain, the SoC, and cognitive psychology. I hope you are curious and excited to read the next articles in this series, where I will dive deeper into the comparison and contrast of the brain and the SoC.

If you liked this article, please share it with your friends, colleagues, and followers. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please leave them below. I would love to hear from you and learn from you.

Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for the next article in this series: Perception and Attention: How Do the Brain and the SoC Process Information from the Environment?

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