Decision-making and strategic thinking through analogies

When faced with a complex scenario, how does understanding arise in one’s mind? How does one integrate disparate cues into a global, meaningful whole? Consider the chess game: how do humans avoid the combinatorial explosion? How are abstract ideas represented? The purpose of this paper is to propose a new computational model of human chess intuition and intelligence. We suggest that analogies and abstract roles are crucial to solving these landmark problems. We present a proof-of-concept model, in the form of a computational architecture, which may be able to account for many crucial aspects of human intuition, such as (i) concentration of attention to relevant aspects, (ii) \ud how humans may avoid the combinatorial explosion, (iii) perception of similarity at a strategic level, and (iv) a state of meaningful anticipation over how a global scenario \ud may evolve

Elements of a Theory of Design Artefacts: a contribution to critical systems development research. PhD Thesis.

The thesis emphasises material mediation in design, use and research by introducing the concept of design artefacts as a unifying perspective. This concept is based on a dialectical materialist approach comprising activity theory as a general perspective (mainly Engestrøm), and specifically the notion of primary, secondary and tertiary artefacts (Wartofsky). This background is complemented with the notion of boundary objects (Star), as mediators in boundary zones. Systems development is understood as a zone where heterogeneous praxes meet to change a given praxis through the construction and introduction of new (computer) artefacts; this zone is mediated by design artefacts, which make different sense to the various praxes (boundary objects). Four main themes are addressed by the thesis: Firstly, the notion of design artefacts as an integrating perspective on systems development research and praxis, is introduced and developed. Secondly, a uniform notion of development tying use and design together, is discussed in relation to designing for development in use, and in relation to the notion of design as the transformation of artefacts. Thirdly, a pragmatic philosophy of science based on the understanding of theories as design artefacts, is proposed. Fourthly, the issue of innovation and creativity, together with the role of the individual is programmatically pointed to

Information Outlook, May 2005

Volume 9, Issue 5https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_io_2005/1004/thumbnail.jp

The Impact of Social Expectation towards Robots on Human-Robot Interactions

This work is presented in defence of the thesis that it is possible to measure the social expectations and perceptions that humans have of robots in an explicit and succinct manner, and these measures are related to how humans interact with, and evaluate, these robots. There are many ways of understanding how humans may respond to, or reason about, robots as social actors, but the approach that was adopted within this body of work was one which focused on interaction-specific expectations, rather than expectations regarding the true nature of the robot. These expectations were investigated using a questionnaire-based tool, the University of Hertfordshire Social Roles Questionnaire, which was developed as part of the work presented in this thesis and tested on a sample of 400 visitors to an exhibition in the Science Gallery in Dublin. This study suggested that responses to this questionnaire loaded on two main dimensions, one which related to the degree of social equality the participants expected the interactions with the robots to have, and the other was related to the degree of control they expected to exert upon the robots within the interaction. A single item, related to pet-like interactions, loaded on both and was considered a separate, third dimension. This questionnaire was deployed as part of a proxemics study, which found that the degree to which participants accepted particular proxemics behaviours was correlated with initial social expectations of the robot. If participants expected the robot to be more of a social equal, then the participants preferred the robot to approach from the front, while participants who viewed the robot more as a tool preferred it to approach from a less obtrusive angle. The questionnaire was also deployed in two long-term studies. In the first study, which involved one interaction a week over a period of two months, participant social expectations of the robots prior to the beginning of the study, not only impacted how participants evaluated open-ended interactions with the robots throughout the two-month period, but also how they collaborated with the robots in task-oriented interactions as well. In the second study, participants interacted with the robots twice a week over a period of 6 weeks. This study replicated the findings of the previous study, in that initial expectations impacted evaluations of interactions throughout the long-term study. In addition, this study used the questionnaire to measure post-interaction perceptions of the robots in terms of social expectations. The results from these suggest that while initial social expectations of robots impact how participants evaluate the robots in terms of interactional outcomes, social perceptions of robots are more closely related to the social/affective experience of the interaction

A Conflict Resolution Model Amenable to Sociological Practice

Social connectedness constrains individuality in favor of relationship. Group affiliation contributes to a tension between self and social motivation. Often, it becomes difficult to find mutually acceptable solutions to common problems In such cases, conflicts may emerge which require professional intervention to resolve. This article presents a model of conflict resolution which draws resource from sociological theory, research, and practice It delineates an adaptable strategy applicable to a wide range of social structures and concomitant relational problem

Human Enhancement Technologies and Our Merger with Machines

A cross-disciplinary approach is offered to consider the challenge of emerging technologies designed to enhance human bodies and minds. Perspectives from philosophy, ethics, law, and policy are applied to a wide variety of enhancements, including integration of technology within human bodies, as well as genetic, biological, and pharmacological modifications. Humans may be permanently or temporarily enhanced with artificial parts by manipulating (or reprogramming) human DNA and through other enhancement techniques (and combinations thereof). We are on the cusp of significantly modifying (and perhaps improving) the human ecosystem. This evolution necessitates a continuing effort to re-evaluate current laws and, if appropriate, to modify such laws or develop new laws that address enhancement technology. A legal, ethical, and policy response to current and future human enhancements should strive to protect the rights of all involved and to recognize the responsibilities of humans to other conscious and living beings, regardless of what they look like or what abilities they have (or lack). A potential ethical approach is outlined in which rights and responsibilities should be respected even if enhanced humans are perceived by non-enhanced (or less-enhanced) humans as “no longer human” at all