Cognitive Science

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".

Anthropic Objects and Anthropomorphic Things

by Shaun May

Published in Puppetry International, Spring/Summer Issue 2012.

In this paper, I draw on research from outside of performance theory, specifically computer science and philosophy, in... more In this paper, I draw on research from outside of performance theory, specifically computer science and philosophy, in order to draw out a terminological distinction which I believe is essential to understanding the phenomenon of the animated puppet. Specifically, the difference between an object looking humanlike and an object being humanlike. Crucially, I argue that the latter is characterised by what Heidegger calls being-in-the-world.

In the beginning: word or deed?

by Stephen J. Cowley

This appeared as

Cowley, S. J. (2005). In the beginning: word or deed? Commentary on Steels, L. & Belpaeme, T.  Behavioral and Brain Sciences. 24/8,493-494.

This is a commentary on Steels and Belpaeme’s (2005) “Coordinating perceptually grounded ategories through language: A... more This is a commentary on Steels and Belpaeme’s (2005) “Coordinating perceptually grounded ategories through language: A case study for colour: https://www.gold.ac.uk/media/DavidoffLuzzatti2005.pdf ;
Arguing that this is an important paper in that it shows how agents can gain from cultural patterns, I remain skeptical about using such views to explain the etiology of meanings. Indeed, since the simulations show that ‘shared categories’ are independent of learning, I suggest that Steels and Belpaeme could gain from questioning their folk view of language. Instead, I suggest that meaning uses indexicals to set off a replicator process and that the resulting memetic patterns –not words –lie at the basis of language.

Biology is only part of the story…

by Dwight Read

Co-authored with Sander van der Leeuw. Published in Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 2008 363, 1959-1968

The origins and development of human cognition constitute one of the most interesting questions to which archaeology... more The origins and development of human cognition constitute one of the most interesting questions to which archaeology can contribute today. In this paper, we do so by presenting an overview of the evolution of artefact technology from the maker’s point of view, and linking that development to some hypotheses on the evolution of human cognitive capacity. Our main hypothesis is that these dataindicate that, in the first part of the trajectory, biological limits to cognitive capacity were a major
constraint that limited technology, whereas, in the second part, this biological constraint seems to have been lifted and others have come in its place. But these are modifiable by means of conceptual frameworks that facilitate concept innovation and therefore enable learning, thereby permitting acceleration in the pace of change in technology. In the last part of the paper, we elaborate on some of the consequences of that acceleration.

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.

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.

The folds of a-topia (or a materialist take on Utopia)

by Constantinos Miltiadis

short paper, extended version of a competition entry. The original was written with Demetris Shammas, Vasiliki Nikoloutsou, Isavella Ines Oikonomopoulou and Daphne Oikonomopoulou

The paper tries to construct and oppose a material ontology to utopian or idealistic architectural intentions The paper tries to construct and oppose a material ontology to utopian or idealistic architectural intentions

Luque D., López, F. J., Marco-Pallares, J., Càmara, E. & Rodríguez-Fornells, A. (2012). Feedback-related brain potential activity complies with basic assumptions of associative learning theory. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 24, 794-808.

by David Luque Ruiz

First demonstration of a (Kamin) blocking effect in the feedback-related negativity (FRN).

ABSTRACT. Feedback-related negativity (FRN) is an event-related potential (ERP) component that distinguishes positive... more ABSTRACT. Feedback-related negativity (FRN) is an event-related potential (ERP) component that distinguishes positive from negative feedback. FRN has been hypothesized to be the product of an error signal that may be used to adjust future behavior. In addition, associative learning models assume that the trial-to-trial learning of cue-outcome mappings involves the minimization of an error term. The present study evaluated whether FRN is a possible electrophysiological correlate of this error term in a predictive learning task where human subjects were asked to learn different cue-outcome relationships. Specifically, we evaluated the sensitivity of the FRN to the course of learning when different stimuli interact or compete to become a predictor of certain outcomes. Importantly, some of these cues were blocked by more informative or predictive cues (i.e., the blocking effect). Interestingly, the present results show that both learning and blocking affect the amplitude of the FRN component. Furthermore, independent analyses of positive and negative feedback event-related signals showed that the learning effect was restricted to the ERP component elicited by positive feedback. The blocking test showed differences in the FRN magnitude between a predictive and a blocked cue. Overall, the present results show that ERPs that are related to feedback processing correspond to the main predictions of associative learning models.

Effects of Brain- Improvers on Learning and Learners' Attitude

by Ahmet Özalp (MEd)

Abstract concepts: Sensory-motor grounding, metaphors, and beyond.

by Diane Pecher

Pecher, D., Boot, I., & Van Dantzig, S. (2011). Abstract concepts: Sensory-motor grounding, metaphors, and beyond. In B. Ross (Ed.). The Psychology of Learning and Motivation, vol. 54 (pp. 217-248). Burlington: Academic Press.

In the last decade many researchers have obtained evidence for the idea that cognition shares processing mechanisms... more In the last decade many researchers have obtained evidence for the idea that cognition shares processing mechanisms with perception and action. Most of the evidence supporting the grounded cognition framework focused on representations of concrete concepts, which leaves open the question how abstract concepts are grounded in sensory-motor processing. One promising idea is that people simulate concrete situations and introspective experiences to represent abstract concepts [Barsalou, L. W., & Wiemer-Hastings, K. (2005). Situating abstract concepts. In D. Pecher, & R. A. Zwaan (Eds.), Grounding cognition: The role of perception and action in memory, language, and thinking (pp. 129–163). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.], although this has not yet been investigated a lot. A second idea, which more researchers have investigated, is that people use metaphorical mappings from concrete to abstract concepts [Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors we live by. Chicago: Chicago University Press.]. According to this conceptual metaphor theory, image schemas structure and provide sensory-motor grounding for abstract concepts. Although there is evidence that people automatically activate image schemas when they process abstract concepts, we argue that situations are also needed to fully represent meaning.

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.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

Habituacja, dyshabituacja i sensytyzacja jako narzedzia kognitywnej wersologii (rekonesans metodologiczny)

by Arkadiusz Sylwester Mastalski

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.

Alsmith & de Vignemont 2012 Embodying the mind and representing the body

by Adrian Alsmith

Co-authored with Frédérique de Vignemont. Intro to special issue of the Review of Philosophy & Psychology that we guest edited:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/1878-5158/3/1/

Does the existence of body representations undermine the explanatory role of the body? Or do certain types of... more Does the existence of body representations undermine the explanatory role of the body? Or do certain types of representation depend so closely upon the body that their involvement in a cognitive task implicates the body itself? In the introduction of this special issue we explore lines of tension and complement that might hold between the notions of embodiment and body representations, which remain too often neglected or obscure. To do so, we distinguish two conceptions of embodiment that either put weight on the explanatory role of the body itself or body representations. We further analyse how and to what extent body representations can be said to be embodied. Finally, we give an overview of the full volume articulated around foundational issues (How should we define the notion of embodiment? To what extent and in what sense is embodiment compatible with representationalism? To what extent and in what sense are sensorimotor approaches similar to behaviourism?) and their applications in several cognitive domains (perception, concepts, selfhood, social cognition).

She's Touch, Smell, Sight, Taste, and Sound: Evidence for the “Common Sense” of Aristotle in Modern Neuroscience and the Application of that Understanding to Solving the Molyneux Problem

by Thomas Sundaram

No bibliography required for the class, all sources used cited in notes.

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

by Peter Meineck

NEJC 39.1 (2012) 3-46.

Autonomy and Desire in Machines and Cognitive Agent Systems

by Kevin Magill

Co-authored with Yasemin J. Erden, published 'Online First' in 'Cognitive Computation', 2012, DOI DOI 10.1007/s12559-012-9140-9. Available through subscribing institutions. Drop me a line if you can't access.
Substantially revised from 2011 paper of same title.

The development of cognitive agent systems relies on theories of agency, within which the concept of desire is key.... more The development of cognitive agent systems relies on theories of agency, within which the concept of desire is key. Indeed, in the quest to develop increasingly autonomous cognitive agent systems, desire has had a significant role. We argue, however, that insufficient attention has been given to analysis and clarification of desire as a complex concept. Accordingly, in this paper, we will draw on some key philosophical accounts of the nature of desire, including what distinguishes it from other mental and motivational states, in order to identify some key characteristics of desire as a complex concept. We will then draw on these in order to investigate the role, definition and adequacy of concepts of desire within applied theoretical models of agency and agent systems.

Distributed Language: cognition beyond the brain

by Stephen J. Cowley

This short paper was a presentation at the Annual International Forum in the Humanities Conference on Interdisciplinarity in Cognitive Science Research, State University for the Humanities, Moscow (March 2012).

As Cognitive Science develops a view of agency, we are learning much about human cognition. First, as living things,... more As Cognitive Science develops a view of agency, we are learning much about human cognition. First, as living things, we depend on active embodiment. Since, this is incompatible with reduction to information processing, we are bound to ask what cognition is –and what it is to be a person. On a ‘4E’ view, agency is embodied, embedded, enacted and extended. This applies, moreover, to living beings as diverse as earthworms, beavers, wolves and humans. To understand human agency, I therefore argue for a more radical view. Pursuing this, it is stressed that, while situated, language is also non-local: our voices always echo those of others. While grounded in first-order activity, language also enacts second-order practices. It is its symbiotic nature that makes homo sapiens ecologically special. Once acknowledged, this opens up a distributed perspective on language and cognition. By means of clarification, I offer thick description of a interactional moment where language links the brain with the world beyond the body. At this instant, the words actually spoken are background: the verbal aspect of speech acts as a Zeitgeber for bodily coupling that directly realizes human values. Finally, I place the distributed view of linguistic cognition against themes in Russian psycholinguistic tradition.

Addendum - More Seminal Ethics Implications

by Mark Singer

Tandem works include: "Seminal Ethics," "Kant Concept Art," "More Seminal Ethics Implications" - also on this site.

This paper includes the "Possibility Implications" of the Kantian, Machiavellian, and Nietzschean Ethical Standards.