Mental Representation and the Cognitive Architecture of Skilled Action

Schack T, Frank C. Mental Representation and the Cognitive Architecture of Skilled Action. Review of Philosophy and Psychology. 2021;12(3):527-546.**Abstract** The aim of this paper is to understand the functional role of mental representations and intentionality in skilled actions from a systems related perspective. Therefore, we will evaluate the function ofrepresentationand then discuss thecognitive architecture of skilled actionsin more depth. We are going to describe the building blocks and levels of the action system that enable us to control movements such as striking the tennis ball at the right time, or grasping tools in manual action. Based on this theoretical understanding themeasurement of mental representationsand related research results concerningmental representation in skilled actionare presented in an overview. This leads to the question how mental representations develop and change duringlearning.Finally, to consolidate the functional understanding of mental representation in skilled action and interaction, we provide examples how to use the measurement of mental representation in humans to inform technical systems