Bruce Bridgeman (1998) Models and Theories of Cognition are Algorithms
. Psycoloquy: 9(22) Connectionist Explanation (19)
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Psycoloquy 9(22): Models and Theories of Cognition are Algorithms
MODELS AND THEORIES OF COGNITION ARE ALGORITHMS
Commentary on Green on Connectionist-Explanation
Bruce Bridgeman
Department of Psychology
University of California
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
USA
bruceb@cats.ucsc.edu
Abstract
PDP models (sometimes misnamed "connectionist") solve
computational problems with a family of algorithms, but changeable
weights between their connections mean that the details of their
algorithms are subject to change. Thus they do not fulfill the
requirement that a model must specify its algorithm for solving a
computational problem, or that it must model real data and fail to
model false data. Other models use distributed coding but retain
homeomorphism and explicit algorithms. An example uses a lateral
inhibitory network with fixed weights to model visual masking and
sensory memory.
Keywords
artificial intelligence, cognition, computer modelling,
connectionism, epistemology, explanation, methodology, neural nets,
philosophy of science, theory.
References
- Bischof, W. F. & Di Lollo, V. (1995) Motion and metacontrast with simultaneous onset of stimuli. Journal of the Optical Society of America A 12: 1623-1636.
- Bridgeman, B. (1971) Metacontrast and lateral inhibition. Psychological Review 78: 528-539.
- Bridgeman, B. (1978) Distributed coding applied to simulations of iconic storage and metacontrast. Bulletin of Mathematical Biology 40: 605-623.
- Grainger, J., & Jacobs, A. M. (1998) Localist connectionism fits the bill. ftp://ftp.princeton.edu/pub/harnad/Psycoloquy/1998.volume.9/ psycoloquy.98.9.10.connectionist-explanation.7.grainger
- Green, C.D. (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
- Hanson, S.J., & Burr, D.J. (1990) What connectionist models learn: Learning and representation in connectionist networks. Behavioral and Brain Sciences 13: 511-518.
- Massaro, D.W. (1988) Some criticisms of connectionist models of human performance. Journal of Memory and Language 27: 213-234.
- Rosenblatt, F. (1962) Principles of neurodynamics. NY: Spartan