Cognitive Psychology

Generative Oscillation - A Cognitive Model for the Emergence of Language

by Thorold (Thor) May

Research Material for a discontinued PhD

DRAFT COPY ONLY

NOT READY FOR PRINT PUBLICATION

The GO model proposes a co-generative view of the emergence of language. Most conventional linguistics models conceive... more The GO model proposes a co-generative view of the emergence of language. Most conventional linguistics models conceive of language as a representational system of symbols which refer to events, either mental or external to the organism. This representational function is said to motivate the linguistic system and (depending upon the linguistic model) largely control its form. The GO (Generative Oscillation) model proposed here recognizes the representational role of language. However it notes that as the mental linguistic system itself becomes efficiently organized, it creates an internal logic and drive of its own. To some extent this internally motivated linguistic system is conceived to override the external motivation to represent another reality. Since the internal linguistic system is dynamic and generative, it may give rise to linguistic output which seems strange in an inter-human communicative context (or even within the reflective mind of the creator). Thus while the external communicative context can become a constraint on unmotivated non-representational "internal language", it might not eliminate it. The Generative Oscillation model proposes that actual language production is an oscillating compromise between the representational function of language and the mental "language bot" itself (i.e. an internal self-organizing system) which is generating language strings just because that is what language language bots do. As far as I know, the Generative Oscillation Model, or anything like it, had not been suggested before in linguistics at the time of writing. Some conventional linguists may find it a bit "off the wall".

Reversal Without Remapping: What We Can (and Cannot) Conclude About Learned Associations From Training-Induced Behavior Changes

by Marc Coutanche

Coutanche, M. N., & Thompson-Schill, S. L. (2012) - Perspectives on Psychological Science

The “cognitive revolution” in psychology is often framed as a departure from associationist principles rooted in... more The “cognitive revolution” in psychology is often framed as a departure from associationist principles rooted in animal learning research, yet it is clear that these principles have immediate relevance for contemporary questions in cognitive and social psychology. Intuitions about the consequences of learning procedures can easily be misleading, making these principles particularly important. To illustrate this point, we identified recent examples of studies applying a particular learning paradigm—response-reversal training—to the study of three different psychological problems (e.g., why objects in the right side of space are preferred to those in the left in right-handed people). The strategy of each study was to alter a typically encountered contingency once in the laboratory, in order to reverse a hypothesized learned response. Yet, contrary to intuitions, we demonstrate that behavior changes can be observed without the reversal of a prior association. Further, many different associative changes can underlie response reversals. We focus on these examples of response-reversal training, but our broader aim is to help connect the animal learning literature to problems in cognitive and social psychology in an effort to strengthen the inferences that might be drawn about learned associations in these contexts.

Is a small apple more like an apple or more like a cherry? A study with real and modified sized objects

by Valentina Bazzarin

Co-authored with Anna Maria Borghi

In a categorization experiment we assessed whether seeingobjects automatically activates information on how... more In a categorization experiment we assessed whether seeingobjects automatically activates information on how tomanipulate them. The experiment also aims at investigatingthe role played in a categorization task by online, visualinformation (i.e., of information mediated by the dorsal system), and by information stored in memory (i.e.,information mediated by the ventral system). Participantscategorized photographs of objects manipulable either with apower or a precision grip into artifacts or natural kinds.Target-objects were preceded by primes consisting of photographs of hands in either grasping postures (precision orpower grip) or in a neutral posture (grip). Target-objects couldbe presented either in their real size or in modified size, sothat they activated a different kind of grip. For example, astrawberry was presented both in its real size and with the sizeof an apple, so that it activated a power grip. Results confirm that visual stimuli activate motor information. More importantly, they suggest a crucial role of online, visualinformation even in a categorization task. Results arediscussed in the framework of theories on the role of onlineand offline memory features.

Morís, J., Cobos, P. L., & Luque, D. (2010). What priming techniques can tell us about associative representations acquired during human contingency learning. Open Psychology Journal, 3, 97-104.

by David Luque Ruiz

Luque, D., López, F. J., & Cobos, P. L. (2007). Procesos de aprendizaje causal. In O. Pineño, M. A. Vadillo & H. Matute (Eds.), Psicología del Aprendizaje (pp. 323-345). Badajoz: Abecedario.

by David Luque Ruiz

Luque, D., Luque, J. L., & López-Zamora, M. (2011). Individual differences in pseudohomophony effect relates to auditory categorical perception skills. Learning and Individual Differences, 21, 210-214.

by David Luque Ruiz

ABSTRACT. The study examined whether individual differences in the quality of phonological representations, measured... more ABSTRACT. The study examined whether individual differences in the quality of phonological representations, measured by a categorical perception task (CP), are related with the use of phonological information in a lexical decision pseudohomophone task. In addition, the lexical frequency of the stimuli was manipulated. The sample consisted of Spanish-speaking normal reading adults. When high frequency stimuli were used, CP explained a significant proportion of the variance observed in the pseudohomophone effect. This result supports the idea that, even in normal reading adults, the use of phonological information during lexical access depends on the quality of their phonological representation.

Luque, D., Cobos, P. L., & López, F. J. (2008). Interference between cues requires a causal scenario: Favourable evidence for causal reasoning models in learning processes. Learning and Motivation, 39, 196–208.

by David Luque Ruiz

Karanka, J., & Luque, D. (2004). Predicting collision: a connectionist model. In H. Bowman & C. Labiousse (Eds.), Connectionist Models of Cognition and Perception II (pp. 39 -48). London: World Scientific.

by David Luque Ruiz

Luque, D., Morís, J., Orgaz, C., Cobos, P. L., & Matute, H. (2011). Backward Blocking and Interference between Cues are empirically equivalent in non-causally framed learning tasks. Psychological Record, 61, 141-152.

by David Luque Ruiz

In this paper we highlighted the methodological need for an interference control in backward blocking experiments.

Backward blocking (BB) and interference between cues (IbC) are cue competition effects produced by very similar... more Backward blocking (BB) and interference between cues (IbC) are cue competition effects produced by very similar manipulations. In a standard BB design both effects might occur simultaneously, which implies a potential problem to study BB. In the present study with humans, the magnitude of both effects was compared using a non causal scenario and a within subjects design. Previous studies have made this comparison using learning tasks framed within causal scenarios. This posits a limit to generalizing their findings to non-causal learning situations because there is ample evidence showing that participants engage in causal reasoning when tasks are causally framed. The results obtained showed BB and IbC effects of the same magnitude in a non causal framed task. This highlights the methodological need for an IbC control in BB experiments.

Luque, D., Morís, J., & Cobos, P. L. (2010). Spontaneous recovery from interference between cues but not from backward blocking. Behavioural Processes, 84, 521-525.

by David Luque Ruiz

I think that the title resumes very well the main contribution of the paper!

ABSTRACT. In the present study, we examined the differential effect on backward blocking (BB) and on interferencemore ABSTRACT. In the present study, we examined the differential effect on backward blocking (BB) and on interference
between cues (IbC) of including a delay right before the test phase vs. between training phases 1 and 2 in humans. While models of IbC predict a spontaneous recovery (SR) of responding if the delay is placed immediately before the test instead of between phases 1 and 2, BB models predict that no difference
should be observed due to the position of the delay. In our experiment, we obtained the SR from IbC but not from BB. These results suggest that backward blocking and interference between cues are likely to be the result of different processes.

Effects of Brain- Improvers on Learning and Learners' Attitude

by Ahmet Özalp (MEd)

Kurumada, C. and Jaeger, T.F. 2012. Communicatively efficient language production and case-marker omission in Japanese. The 34th Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (CogSci12). Sapporo, Japan. July, 2012.

by T. Florian Jaeger

Feel free to cite. For page numbers, pls see the CogSci Proceedings webpage.

Recent proposals hold that language production reflects speakers bias to achieve efficient information transmission.... more Recent proposals hold that language production reflects speakers bias to achieve efficient information transmission. Speakers tend to provide more linguistic signal for information that is difficult to recover while omitting or reducing contextually inferable elements. However, previous findings in support of this hypothesis have been claimed to be compatible with alternative explanations in terms of production difficulty, therefore not requiring reference to communicative efficiency. We present two recall-production experiments on Japanese speakers’ preference in optional object case-marking that test the predictions of communicative efficiency accounts, while ruling out alternative explanations in terms of production difficulty. We find that speakers of Japanese are more likely to mark objects with case, if the referential properties of the object (Experiment 1) or the combination of subject, object, and verb (Experiment 2) bias against the intended assignment of grammatical functions. Together the experiments provide evidence that speakers prefer to provide case-marking if the intended interpretation of the sentence is unexpected or implausible.

Kleinschmidt, D. and Jaeger, T.F. (submitted). A continuum of phonetic adaptation: Evaluating an incremental belief-updating model of recalibration and selective adaptation. The 34th Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (CogSci12). Sapporo, Japan. July, 2012.

by T. Florian Jaeger

Final version. This paper follows up on Dave's work on phonetic adaptation for which he won the AMLaP best talk award and an honorable mention at ACL. Check it out. It also present a (perhaps novel) paradigm of conducting perceptual adaptation studies over the web.

Feel free to cite. For page numbers, pls see the CogSci Proceedings webpage.

We have previously proposed that incremental belief updating can provide a unified account of the effect of cumulative... more We have previously proposed that incremental belief updating can provide a unified account of the effect of cumulative exposure on phonetic recalibration and selective adaptation (Kleinschmidt & Jaeger, 2011). This model predicts that these are not two distinct phenomena but rather two points on a continuum. We investigate that prediction here using adaptor stimuli intermediate between those which induce recalibration and selective adaptation, and find that the quantitative predictions of the model fit the data well. We also demonstrate that with the proper controls, Mechanical Turk provides a suitable online platform for speech perception experiments.

Kleinschmidt, D.F., Fine, A.B., and Jaeger, T.F. 2012. A belief-updating model of adaptation and cue combination in syntactic comprehension. The 34th Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (CogSci12). Sapporo, Japan. July, 2012.

by T. Florian Jaeger

Feel free to cite. For page numbers, pls see the CogSci Proceedings webpage.

We develop and evaluate a preliminary belief-updating model which links intermediate-term (i.e., over several days)... more We develop and evaluate a preliminary belief-updating model which links intermediate-term (i.e., over several days) syntactic adaptation to the joint statistics of syntactic structures and lexical cues to those structures. This model shows how subjects differentially depend on different cues to syntactic structure following changes in the reliability of those cues, as shown by Fine and Jaeger (2011). By relating syntactic adaptation and cue combination to rational inference under uncertainty, this work links learning and adaptation in sentence processing with adaptation in speech perception and non-linguistic domains.

Keywords: sentence processing, adaptation, Bayesian modeling

Reducing cognitive biases in probabilistic reasoning by the use of logarithm formats.

by Marcus Lindskog

The Lazy Intuitive Statistician: Influence of Data Representation and Retrieval Processes on Intuitive Statistical Judgment

by Marcus Lindskog

Licentiate thesis.

Arbitrating between Theory-Theory and Simulation Theory: Evidence from a Think-aloud Study of Counterfactual Reasoning

by Meredith Wilkinson

Co-authored with Linden J. Ball and Rachel Cooper

Wilkinson, M. R., Ball, L. J., & Cooper, R. (2010).  Arbitrating between theory-theory and simulation theory:  Evidence from a think-aloud study of counterfactual reasoning. Chapter in S. Ohlsson & R. Catrambone (Eds.) Proceedings of the Thirty-Second Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society. (pp. 1008-1013) Austin, Texas: Cognitive Science Society     

Engineering love

by Brian Earp

Savulescu, J. and Sandberg, A. (2012). Love machine: Engineering lifelong romance. New Scientist, 2864, 28-29.

Essay partially adapted from Earp, B. D., Sandberg, A., and Savulescu, J. (2012). Natural selection, childrearing, and the ethics of marriage (and divorce): Building a case for the neuroenhancement of human relationships. Philosophy & Technology, forthcoming [see "profile" box in article].

Available at the New Scientist website: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21428646.200-love-machine-engineering-lifelong-romance.html

New Scientist BIG IDEA section, May 2012.

With break-up and divorce a major part of modern life, it looks... more New Scientist BIG IDEA section, May 2012.

With break-up and divorce a major part of modern life, it looks like we may be outliving our inborn capacity to love. But there could be a way to outwit evolution and make love last.

Also available at New Scientist: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21428646.200-love-machine-engineering-lifelong-romance.html.

Low-dose tryptophan depletion in recovered depressed women induces impairments in autobiographical memory specificity

by Anneke Haddad

Haddad, A. D. M., Williams, J. M. G., McTavish, S. F. B., & Harmer, C. J. (2009, December). Low-dose tryptophan depletion in recovered depressed women induces impairments in autobiographical memory specificity.. Psychopharmacology (Berl), 207(3), 499-508.

Background: Depressed patients perform poorly on tests of autobiographical memory specificity (AMS); this may have... more Background: Depressed patients perform poorly on tests of autobiographical memory specificity (AMS); this may have negative consequences for other important cognitive abilities, delays recovery from mood episodes, and, in recovered patients, may mediate vulnerability to future episodes. Although the cognitive mechanisms underlying AMS deficits are beginning to be understood, the neurobiological mechanisms remain unclear. Serotonin is implicated in both depression and long-term memory; therefore, temporary lowering of brain serotonin function via acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) offers a means of studying the role of serotonin in autobiographical memory specificity.

Materials and methods: In this study, 24 previously depressed women underwent low-dose ATD or sham depletion and completed tests of initial and delayed memory, recollection- and familiarity-based recognition, and AMS.

Results: ATD did not differentially affect state mood. Compared with sham depletion, ATD impaired immediate recall on the Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Although ATD did not differentially impair recollection- and familiarity-based recognition, it did slow recognition of positive words. ATD also reduced autobiographical memory specificity in response to negative cue words.

Discussion: The results confirm previous findings that low-dose ATD can reinstate depression-congruent biases in cognition without causing depressive mood in vulnerable populations. The ATD-induced reduction in memory specificity suggests that serotonergic dysfunction may mediate depressive deficits in autobiographical memory; the interaction of cognitive and neurobiological vulnerability mechanisms is discussed.

The embodied space: performance and visual cognition at the Theatre of Dionysos

by Peter Meineck

NEJC 39.1 (2012) 3-46.