Michael E. Young (1998) Are Hypothetical Constructs Preferred Over Intervening Variables?
. Psycoloquy: 9(09) Connectionist Explanation (6)
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Psycoloquy 9(09): Are Hypothetical Constructs Preferred Over Intervening Variables?
ARE HYPOTHETICAL CONSTRUCTS PREFERRED OVER INTERVENING VARIABLES?
Commentary on Green on Connectionist-Explanation
Michael E. Young
Dept. of Psychology
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
www.psychology.uiowa/edu/faculty/young.htm
michael-e-young@uiowa.edu
Abstract
Green (1998) expresses dissatisfaction with contemporary
connectionist models as theories of cognition. A reexamination of
the historical distinction between hypothetical constructs and
intervening variables and their relative roles in theory
development reveals an important role for well-designed,
parsimonious connectionist models in the study of cognition.
Although realist theories (i.e., theories that include hypothetical
constructs) are bolder and might provide more intellectual
satisfaction to psychologists, instrumentalist theories (i.e.,
theories that include only intervening variables) can bring rigor
and understanding to the enterprise of cognitive science.
Keywords
artificial intelligence, cognition, computer modelling,
connectionism, epistemology, explanation, methodology, neural nets,
philosophy of science, theory.
References
- Green, CD. (1998) Are Connectionist Models Theories of Cognition? PSYCOLOQUY 9(4) ftp://ftp.princeton.edu/pub/harnad/Psycoloquy/1998.volume.9/ psyc.98.9.04.connectionist-explanation.1.green
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