And Now for Something Completely Different: Python in Cognitive Science

Objectives and Scope The objective of this tutorial is to introduce and motivate the use of the Python programming language in cognitive science research. Within the last 10 years, the development of scientific and numerical libraries in Python has grown to the point where Python can now be used as a scientific and numerical computing environment comparable to products like Matlab and Mathematica. As of yet, however, it appears that knowledge of the potential applications of Python to research in cognitive science is still rather limited. The aim of this tutorial, therefore, is to describe these areas of application and to advocate the advantages and appeals of using Python as the principal programming language in cognitive science research. Given the generality of the tools being discussed, it is hoped that this tutorial will have widespread appeal and relevance.