An integrated theory of language production and comprehension

Currently, production and comprehension are regarded as quite distinct in accounts of language processing. In rejecting this dichotomy, we instead assert that producing and understanding are interwoven, and that this interweaving is what enables people to predict themselves and each other. We start by noting that production and comprehension are forms of action and action perception. We then consider the evidence for interweaving in action, action perception, and joint action, and explain such evidence in terms of prediction. Specifically, we assume that actors construct forward models of their actions before they execute those actions, and that perceivers of others' actions covertly imitate those actions, then construct forward models of those actions. We use these accounts of action, action perception, and joint action to develop accounts of production, comprehension, and interactive language. Importantly, they incorporate well-defined levels of linguistic representation (such as semantics, syntax, and phonology). We show (a) how speakers and comprehenders use covert imitation and forward modeling to make predictions at these levels of representation, (b) how they interweave production and comprehension processes, and (c) how they use these predictions to monitor the upcoming utterances. We show how these accounts explain a range of behavioral and neuroscientific data on language processing and discuss some of the implications of our proposal

Federated Embedded Systems – a review of the literature in related fields

This report is concerned with the vision of smart interconnected objects, a vision that has attracted much attention lately. In this paper, embedded, interconnected, open, and heterogeneous control systems are in focus, formally referred to as Federated Embedded Systems. To place FES into a context, a review of some related research directions is presented. This review includes such concepts as systems of systems, cyber-physical systems, ubiquitous computing, internet of things, and multi-agent systems. Interestingly, the reviewed fields seem to overlap with each other in an increasing number of ways

Rational Coordination in Multi-Agent Environments

We adopt the decision-theoretic principle of expected utility maximization as a paradigm for designing autonomous rational agents, and present a framework that uses this paradigm to determine the choice of coordinated action. We endow an agent with a specialized representation that captures the agent's knowledge about the environment and about the other agents, including its knowledge about their states of knowledge, which can include what they know about the other agents, and so on. This reciprocity leads to a recursive nesting of models. Our framework puts forth a representation for the recursive models and, under the assumption that the nesting of models is finite, uses dynamic programming to solve this representation for the agent's rational choice of action. Using a decision-theoretic approach, our work addresses concerns of agent decision-making about coordinated action in unpredictable situations, without imposing upon agents pre-designed prescriptions, or protocols, about standard rules of interaction. We implemented our method in a number of domains and we show results of coordination among our automated agents, among human-controlled agents, and among our agents coordinating with human-controlled agents.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44002/1/10458_2004_Article_272540.pd

An information assistant system for the prevention of tunnel vision in crisis management

In the crisis management environment, tunnel vision is a set of bias in decision makers’ cognitive process which often leads to incorrect understanding of the real crisis situation, biased perception of information, and improper decisions. The tunnel vision phenomenon is a consequence of both the challenges in the task and the natural limitation in a human being’s cognitive process. An information assistant system is proposed with the purpose of preventing tunnel vision. The system serves as a platform for monitoring the on-going crisis event. All information goes through the system before arrives at the user. The system enhances the data quality, reduces the data quantity and presents the crisis information in a manner that prevents or repairs the user’s cognitive overload. While working with such a system, the users (crisis managers) are expected to be more likely to stay aware of the actual situation, stay open minded to possibilities, and make proper decisions

Perspektiven von Mensch-Hund-Interaktionen

In comparative psychology we draw inferences about the evolution of cognition by investigating the similarities and differences between human and non-human animals. I am especially interested in which cognitive skills have evolved in different species that allow them to be optimally adapted to their environment. Dogs, due to their high sociality and the fact that they were subject to a special domestication process, represent a highly promising model to investigate social cognition from a comparative perspective. Studying dog cognition not only sheds light on the question on what skills humans share with other animal species, but also what kind of selection pressures lead to human-like skills. Dogs are not simply pets that live in the human environment, but they also form a close relationship to humans and cooperate with them. Thus, studying dogs living in that special niche will not only inform us about their cognitive skills but might also help us to better understand the selection pressures that led to the unique cognition of humans. The aim of this habilitation thesis is to characterize the dog-human relationship taking diverse perspectives on dog cognition and the dog-human bond. During their long domestication process, dogs have evolved special cognitive skills that help them to function effectively in human societies. In this thesis, I present experimental evidence for these skills and I suggest that the skills have evolved in a domain-specific manner, independently from each other. Dogs show outstanding cognitive skills in the domain of (1.) communication, (2.) perspective taking, (3.) cooperation and (4.) olfaction processing, but perform poorly or average in other domains such as (5.) metacognition and (6.) behavioral matching. Regarding (1.) communication I present experimental evidence that dogs without special training are able to successfully show a human a hidden object and that this showing behavior in dogs is a means to communicate the location of that hidden object. I argue that successful communication between dog and humans in general is the consequence of four preconditions in dogs: (i) they are extremely attentive and interested in what humans are doing, (ii) they have excellent learning abilities, (iii) they are able to read subtle cues of human behavior and (iv) they have extensive experience with different communicative situations. Furthermore, I present an experiment about (2.) perspective taking – defined as the ability to assess what others can perceive. Here I found that dogs are able conceal auditory but not visual information from humans when they approach forbidden food. Taken together with findings from previous studies, I conclude that dogs use certain strategies when they assess what a human can and cannot perceive. I studied (3.) cooperation both within dogs and between dogs and humans. Within dogs I used a problem-solving paradigm that involved aspects of a hunting-like situation. I compared the performances of dogs with those of wolves. My results suggest that the abilities needed to coordinate their actions were already present in the dog-wolf ancestor. Dogs and wolves may show similar cooperative skills when cooperating with their conspecifics, but dogs might cooperate better with humans than wolves do, as it is likely that during the domestication process dogs have been selected to cooperate specifically with humans. Consequently, I investigated the cognitive and motivational skills required for a dog to support a human. From the results I conclude that dogs display a number of prosocial behaviors towards a human when they are able to infer the goal of the human and when they understand how to fullfill it. In contrast to communicative, cooperative and perspective taking skills, (4.) the special olfactory skills of dogs probably did not evolve during domestication, but could be one of the reasons why dogs were domesticated. Here I present evidence that dogs can use olfactory information in an adaptable way: Dogs were presented with a violation-of-expectation paradigm in which they could track the odor trail of one target, but at the end of the trail, they found another target. I found that they are able to represent what they smell—that is, when they follow a trail they have an expectation of something or someone at the end of the trail. Thus, not only is dogs’ sense of smell itself quite outstanding, but so are also their related cognitive skills. In contrast, in their (5.) metacognitive skills and in (6.) behavioral matching, dogs do not show unique skills but perform similarly to other social mammals. Regarding (5.) metacognition I investigated whether dogs were sensitive to the information that they themselves had or had not acquired. I found that dogs seek additional information in uncertain situations, but their behavior in these situations is less flexible compared to great apes or human children. Finally, I did not find evidence for (6.) behavioral matching, ie. whether dogs develop an increased affiliation towards a human who mimics them. Dogs in my study showed no increased preference for one of two human experimenter who matched the dogs’ walk. In this thesis I present a view on dog cognition that differentiates individual cognitive skills, pointing out how exactly they are adapted to their special human environment. Thus, I emphasize the unique closeness of the dog-human relationship. I also point out where current findings are incomplete or show limits of their paradigms and call for further research. Firstly, I criticize the fact that most data on dogs’ understanding of their social and physical environment is based on performance in the visual or sometimes in the auditory modality. As dogs’ olfaction is their most relevant sense, I therefore call for more dog studies that are based on olfaction. Secondly, regarding the dog-human relationship, there are many open questions that have not yet been considered well enough: for example, whether dogs are capable of skills like empathy, the human perspective on dogs, and cultural differences in dog-human interactions. Thirdly, to better understand the dog-human bond it is crucial to further investigate when, where and how domestication started. This is also needed in order to understand why dogs were domesticated and what made and makes them valuable for humans. To answer the above mentioned questions, an interdisciplinary approach is crucial, in which scientists from the fields of archaeology, linguistics, paleoclimatology, genetics, anatomy, ethology, psychology, sociology, and anthropology work together

Chorusing, synchrony, and the evolutionary functions of rhythm

A central goal of biomusicology is to understand the biological basis of human musicality. One approach to this problem has been to compare core components of human musicality (relative pitch perception, entrainment, etc.) with similar capacities in other animal species. Here we extend and clarify this comparative approach with respect to rhythm. First, whereas most comparisons between human music and animal acoustic behavior have focused on spectral properties (melody and harmony), we argue for the central importance of temporal properties, and propose that this domain is ripe for further comparative research. Second, whereas most rhythm research in non-human animals has examined animal timing in isolation, we consider how chorusing dynamics can shape individual timing, as in human music and dance, arguing that group behavior is key to understanding the adaptive functions of rhythm. To illustrate the interdependence between individual and chorusing dynamics, we present a computational model of chorusing agents relating individual call timing with synchronous group behavior. Third, we distinguish and clarify mechanistic and functional explanations of rhythmic phenomena, often conflated in the literature, arguing that this distinction is key for understanding the evolution of musicality. Fourth, we expand biomusicological discussions beyond the species typically considered, providing an overview of chorusing and rhythmic behavior across a broad range of taxa (orthopterans, fireflies, frogs, birds, and primates). Finally, we propose an “Evolving Signal Timing” hypothesis, suggesting that similarities between timing abilities in biological species will be based on comparable chorusing behaviors. We conclude that the comparative study of chorusing species can provide important insights into the adaptive function(s) of rhythmic behavior in our “proto-musical” primate ancestors, and thus inform our understanding of the biology and evolution of rhythm in human music and language

The content and nature of thought

Die Dissertation prüft das Potential von Fines Semantischem Relationismus für einen kognivistischen Ansatz der Sprache und des Geistes. Hauptziel ist es, den Semantischen Relationismus als einzig angemessene Inhalstheorie für die Gedankensprache zu verteidigen, indem die Vorzüge gegenüber den wichtigsten Alternativen, dem Referentialismus und dem Fregeanismus, aufgezeigt werden. Die Arbeit soll zeigen, dass nur der Semantische Relatinismus alle Varianten des Frege Puzzles für die Gedankensprache lösen kann, und zwar in einerWeise, die die erheblichen Schwierigkeiten der alternativen Theorien umgeht. Das Ergebnis ist sowohl eine Verteidigung des Sematischen Relationismus als auch eine Bestätigung der Tragbarkeit der Hypothese einer Gedankensprache. Auf Basis der Gedankensprache und einer relationistischen Semantik stellt die Arbeit zudem eine neue Theorie der Propositionen vor, die sich erheblich von allen bestehenden Alternativen, inbegriffen der von Fine, unterscheidet. Das Endergebnis ist eine Auffassung von Propositionen als syntaktisch strukturierten mentalen Repräsentationen, die Sätze in der Gedankensprache darstellen, sowie Träger von Inhalten, die durch ihren semantischen Inhalt typindividuiert sind. Ein Kernziel der Arbeit ist es, die Vorteile dieser Auffassung gegenüber klassischen und modernen Alternativen aufzuzeigen. Die Arbeit entwickelt ihr Gesamtergebnis durch die Aufarbeitung von drei aktuellen, eng miteinander verbundenen Debatten. Erstens, das Problem, dass Freges Puzzle für Gedanken und überzegungen darstellt, insbesondere in Form von Kripkes Puzzle. Zweitens, das Problem der Typindividuierung von Symbolen in der Gedankensprache. Drittens, die Debatte um die Ontologie von Begriffen und Propositionen. Indem eine vielversprechende relationistische Lösung in diesen Problembereichen entwickelt wird, bietet die Arbeit zusätzliche Bestätigung für Fines semantische Theorie durch eine erhebliche Erweiterung ihres Anwendungsbereichs.The thesis evaluates the potential of Fine’s Semantic Relationism for a cognitivist approach to language and the mind. The main aim is to champion Semantic Relationism as the only adequate theory of content for the Language of Thought by bringing out the benefits of the theory over its main rivals, Referentialism and Fregeanism. It seeks to show that only Semantic Relationism can address all the variants of Frege’s Puzzle for the Language of Thought, and that it can do so in a way that avoids the substantial difficulties that beset other semantic theories. The main outcome is at the same time a vindication of the adopted semantic theory and a confirmation of the viability of the Language of Thought hypothesis. The thesis also offers a new theory of propositions on the basis of the Language of Thought and a Relationist semantics that differs significantly from all such presently available theories, including Fine’s. The final result is a theory of propositions as syntactically structured mental representations, which are sentences in the Language of Thought, that are content bearers individuated by their semantic content as specified by Semantic Relationism. A major objective of the thesis is to highlight the advantages of this view over both classical and current alternatives. The thesis develops its overall view by offering solutions in three closely related ongoing debates. First, the challenge posed by Frege’s Puzzle for thought and belief, Kripke’s Puzzle notably included, secondly, the problem about the proper type-individuation of Language of Thought symbol tokens, and thirdly, the debate about the ontological nature of concepts and propositions. By developing a promising Relationist response to these problems, the thesis also provides additional support to Fine’s semantic theory by considerably expanding its scope of application

The rationalization of utterances

Nesta dissertação defendo a tese de que a interpretação linguística requer racionalização, e a concepção geral de linguagem, significado e comunicação que a suporta. Por “interpretação linguística” entendo o processo através do qual os falantes chegam a atribuições de significados às elocuções dos seus interlocutores. A noção de significado relevante é a de significado que o falante pretende imprimir à expressão usada. Por “racionalização” entendo a investigação e atribuição de estados mentais a um agente, que se presume racional, com vista a fazer sentido dos estados e acções desse agente. Apela-se a uma noção de racionalidade muito rica e ampla. O fazer sentido dos pensamentos e acções de um agente pode ser articulado de várias formas: compreender, explicar, encontrar razões para, acompanhar, prever, e mais. Para ser explícito a respeito da linhagem Davidsoniana desta dissertação, noto que o que está aqui em causa é a ideia de que a interpretação deve ser moldada e guiada pelo Princípio de Caridade. Defendo que a racionalização deve estar presente - mesmo que em diferentes formas e intensidades - em toda a interpretação linguística que genuinamente vise o entendimento entre interlocutores. Isto é assim em todos os tipos de situação comunicativa e em todo os estágios de competência linguística, da interpretação radical e do aprender das palavras da primeira língua, à conversa banal entre dois falantes maduros da mesma língua oficial. A abordagem racionalizante, e a concepção geral de significado e linguagem que a fundamenta, são contrastadas com duas visões alternativas. Em primeiro lugar temos o Naturalismo de Quine com o projecto de compreender as capacidades e práticas linguísticas como um fenómeno natural que deve ser estudado e entendido através dos métodos das ciências naturais. Este projecto integra também algumas propostas a respeito do que possa ser descrito como um método apropriadamente naturalístico de interpretação linguística. A segunda alternativa, o Convencionalismo de Lepore e Stone, enfatiza o elemento convencional na linguagem e comunicação, e sustenta que, em casos normais, a interpretação linguística é exclusivamente baseada no conhecimento comum do código relevante, dispensando assim o intérprete de racionalização. Eu procuro mostrar que, não obstante méritos vários, nenhuma destas duas alternativas consegue realmente estabelecer alguma tese que comprometa, ou sequer significativamente diminua, a pertinência e valor teórico da perspectiva Davidsoniana aqui adoptada. Em particular, nenhuma delas é bem sucedida na demonstração de que a interpretação linguística pode dispensar racionalização.In this dissertation I defend the claim that linguistic interpretation requires rationalization, and the general conception of language, meaning and communication that supports it. By “linguistic interpretation” I mean the process through which speakers arrive at meaning ascriptions for their interlocutors’ utterances. The relevant notion of meaning is that of the meaning intended by the speaker for her expression to carry. By “rationalization” I mean the investigation and ascription of mental states to an agent that aims at making sense of the agent’s states and actions, which is guided by the presumption that the agent is rational. The notion of rationality that I appeal to is a very broad and rich one. The making sense of an agent’s states and actions may be articulated in various, more or less overlapping, forms: understanding, explaining, finding reasons for, keeping track of, predicting, and more. Being explicit about the Davidsonian lineage of this dissertation, I should note that what is at stake here is the idea that interpretation must be shaped and directed by the Principle of Charity. I maintain that rationalization must be present - even if in different forms and intensities - in all linguistic interpretation that genuinely aims at understanding among interlocutors. This is so across all types of communicative situations and stages of linguistic competence, from radical interpretation and the learning of the words of the first language to regular conversations among mature speakers of the same official language. The rationalizing approach, and the general conception of meaning and language behind it, are contrasted with two alternative views. The first is Quine’s Naturalism and the project of understanding linguistic abilities and practices as a natural phenomenon to be studied and accounted for using the methods of natural sciences. It also integrates some proposals about what we can describe as appropriately naturalistic methods of linguistic interpretation. The second alternative, Lepore and Stone’s Conventionalism, emphasizes the conventional element in language and communication, and maintains that regular instances of linguistic interpretation are exclusively based on common knowledge of the relevant code, thus dispensing with rationalization. I argue that, for all that is laudable and insightful about these two alternatives, they do not actually succeed in holding their ground in anything that compromises or significantly diminishes the pertinence and theoretical value of the broadly Davidsonian view that I am here endorsing. In particular, they fail to prove that linguistic interpretation can actually dispense with rationalization

The socio-emotional basis of human interaction and communication: How we construct our social world

A review of dimensional research about (the perception of) feelings, non-verbal and verbal communication, behavior and personality reveals in each domain three very similar dimensions. They originated from diverse research areas, often received different names and are conceptually not identical. Yet, the first dimension seems to share in all five areas a general positive versus negative evaluation (e.g. happiness–disgust or friendliness–hostility), the second a strong versus weak characterization (e.g. anger–fear or dominance–submission) and the third dimension an active versus passive impression (e.g. ecstasy–boredom or high–low arousability). These three dimensions are likely to function as fundamental dimensions of interaction and communication as perceived and enacted by humans of all (investigated) cultures. They are interpreted as a universal socio-emotional space that corresponds to an evolutionary need for coordination between individuals. They are implied in the logic of game, exchange or interdependence theory, and manifest themselves in the cultural meanings predicted by affect control theory. The presented overview and reconstruction combines the largely fragmented views of several diverse research domains into a perspective that fosters interdisciplinary understanding and integrative theory-building about human sociality within and between the social sciences with extensions into the natural sciences and humanities.Un passage en revue de la recherche dimensionnelle sur les sentiments (et leur perception), la communication verbale et non-verbale, le comportement et la personnalité, met en évidence trois dimensions très similaires pour chacun de ces domaines. Elles proviennent de différents domaines de recherche, ont souvent reçu des dénominations différentes et ne sont pas identiques conceptuellement. Cependant, la première dimension semble partager dans ces cinq domaines une évaluation positive versus négative (e.g., joie–dégoût ou amitié–hostilité), la deuxième une caractérisation fort versus faible (e.g. colère–peur ou dominance–soumission) et la troisième une impression actif versus passif (e.g. extase–ennui ou stimulation haute–basse). Ces trois dimensions fonctionnent vraisemblablement comme des dimensions fondamentales d’interaction et de communication perçues et émises par les humains de toutes les cultures (étudiées). Elles sont interprétées comme un espace socio-émotionnel universel qui correspond à un besoin au cours de l’évolution de coordination entre les individus. Elles sont impliquées dans la logique du jeu, de l’échange et la théorie de l’interdépendance, et se manifestent dans les significations culturelles prédites par la théorie du contrôle des affects. La présente étude combine les visions largement fragmentées de nombreux et divers domaines de recherche en une perspective qui veut promouvoir une compréhension interdisciplinaire et construire une théorie intégrative sur la socialité humaine dans et entre les sciences sociales avec des ramifications vers les sciences naturelles et les humanités.Peer Reviewe