ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a guide to using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to test hypotheses motivated by theories of cognition. It argues that the hypotheses motivated by theories of cognition can be constrained by neuroscientific data, including that offered by fMRI, but to do so requires embellishing the cognitive theory so that it can make predictions for neuroscience, the same as how testing a cognitive theory using behavior requires embellishing that theory to make experimentally realizable behavioral predictions. The chapter provides an understanding of both the potential power and the challenges associated with fMRI as a cognitive neuroscience methodology. It describes an informed basis for applying the approaches to the development of more powerful and explanatory theories of the mind. The chapter argues that there are many advantages to neurally embellishing a cognitive theory. The smaller impact of fMRI on theory in cognitive psychology, as compared to its practice, could imply this part of the problem is perniciously difficult.
