global workspace theory
GLOH-bul WERK-spays THEER-ee
/ˈɡloʊbəl ˈwɜːrkˌspeɪs ˈθɪəri/Listen
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Dictionary meaning
A cognitive architecture and theory of consciousness proposed by Bernard Baars (1988) holding that consciousness arises when information in specialised brain modules is broadcast widely across the brain via a 'global workspace', making it accessible to many cognitive systems simultaneously; the leading functional/cognitive theory of consciousness
History and origin
Developed by cognitive psychologist Bernard Baars, extended computationally by Stanislas Dehaene and Jean-Pierre Changeux; inspired by blackboard architectures in AI
Examples
- Global workspace theory predicts that conscious perception is associated with late, widespread neural activation across the cortex.
- Unlike IIT, global workspace theory defines consciousness in terms of broadcast and accessibility rather than intrinsic causal structure.
Synonyms: GWT, global neuronal workspace theory (Dehaene-Changeux extension)
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