Arnold J. Wilkins
- Published in print:
- 1995
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780198521747
- eISBN:
- 9780191706691
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198521747.001.0001
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience
This book provides the first general neurological theory of visual discomfort. The theory attributes the experience of visual discomfort to the strong physiological excitation that certain visual ...
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This book provides the first general neurological theory of visual discomfort. The theory attributes the experience of visual discomfort to the strong physiological excitation that certain visual stimuli give rise to, and the effects of such excitation when the visual cortex of the brain is hyperexcitable. Cortical hyperexcitability is now thought to occur in migraine as well as in epilepsy and other neurological disorders in which seizures are relatively common, such as autism. The theory explains why visual discomfort is experienced from flicker and from striped patterns; why fluorescent lighting and visual display terminals cause headaches; and why reading can give you tired eyes. The theory is based on the observation that people find certain specific visual patterns uncomfortable to look at, and that these same patterns can induce seizures in patients with photosensitive epilepsy. The spatial and temporal characteristics of the unpleasant visual stimuli are described in detail. The theory is applied to the design of lighting, the design of text, and indeed to design more generally. The use of ophthalmic tints to treat visual stress is introduced, and techniques for its prevention are discussed.Less
This book provides the first general neurological theory of visual discomfort. The theory attributes the experience of visual discomfort to the strong physiological excitation that certain visual stimuli give rise to, and the effects of such excitation when the visual cortex of the brain is hyperexcitable. Cortical hyperexcitability is now thought to occur in migraine as well as in epilepsy and other neurological disorders in which seizures are relatively common, such as autism. The theory explains why visual discomfort is experienced from flicker and from striped patterns; why fluorescent lighting and visual display terminals cause headaches; and why reading can give you tired eyes. The theory is based on the observation that people find certain specific visual patterns uncomfortable to look at, and that these same patterns can induce seizures in patients with photosensitive epilepsy. The spatial and temporal characteristics of the unpleasant visual stimuli are described in detail. The theory is applied to the design of lighting, the design of text, and indeed to design more generally. The use of ophthalmic tints to treat visual stress is introduced, and techniques for its prevention are discussed.
A. D. (Bud) Craig
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691156767
- eISBN:
- 9781400852727
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691156767.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Neurobiology
This book brings together startling evidence from neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry to present revolutionary new insights into how our brains enable us to experience the range of sensations ...
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This book brings together startling evidence from neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry to present revolutionary new insights into how our brains enable us to experience the range of sensations and mental states known as feelings. Drawing on own cutting-edge research, the author has identified an area deep inside the mammalian brain—the insular cortex—as the place where interoception, or the processing of bodily stimuli, generates feelings. The book shows how this crucial pathway for interoceptive awareness gives rise in humans to the feeling of being alive, vivid perceptual feelings, and a subjective image of the sentient self across time. The book explains how feelings represent activity patterns in our brains that signify emotions, intentions, and thoughts, and how integration of these patterns is driven by the unique energy needs of the hominid brain. It describes the essential role of feelings and the insular cortex in such diverse realms as music, fluid intelligence, and bivalent emotions, and relates these ideas to the philosophy of William James and even to feelings in dogs. The book is also a compelling insider's account of scientific discovery, one that takes readers behind the scenes as the astonishing answer to this neurological puzzle is pursued and pieced together from seemingly unrelated fields of scientific inquiry. This book will fundamentally alter the way that neuroscientists and psychologists categorize sensations and understand the origins and significance of human feelings.Less
This book brings together startling evidence from neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry to present revolutionary new insights into how our brains enable us to experience the range of sensations and mental states known as feelings. Drawing on own cutting-edge research, the author has identified an area deep inside the mammalian brain—the insular cortex—as the place where interoception, or the processing of bodily stimuli, generates feelings. The book shows how this crucial pathway for interoceptive awareness gives rise in humans to the feeling of being alive, vivid perceptual feelings, and a subjective image of the sentient self across time. The book explains how feelings represent activity patterns in our brains that signify emotions, intentions, and thoughts, and how integration of these patterns is driven by the unique energy needs of the hominid brain. It describes the essential role of feelings and the insular cortex in such diverse realms as music, fluid intelligence, and bivalent emotions, and relates these ideas to the philosophy of William James and even to feelings in dogs. The book is also a compelling insider's account of scientific discovery, one that takes readers behind the scenes as the astonishing answer to this neurological puzzle is pursued and pieced together from seemingly unrelated fields of scientific inquiry. This book will fundamentally alter the way that neuroscientists and psychologists categorize sensations and understand the origins and significance of human feelings.
PATRICK HAGGARD
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780197264898
- eISBN:
- 9780191754074
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197264898.003.0002
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind
This chapter explores the interaction between neuroscience and free will. First, it considers how freely willed actions should be defined. Second, it outlines current understanding of brain ...
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This chapter explores the interaction between neuroscience and free will. First, it considers how freely willed actions should be defined. Second, it outlines current understanding of brain mechanisms preceding action, showing in what respects these mechanisms meet the philosophical criteria for freely willed action, and in what respects they do not. Finally, it concludes that the philosophical criteria themselves are based on two underlying psychological facts: human action involves complex mappings between environmental stimuli and goal-directed responses, and human action is associated with a range of quasi-perceptual experiences, classically called ‘motor attention’. These facts lie at the heart of our concept of conscious free will, and are directly related to the recent evolutionary development of the brain's frontal lobes.Less
This chapter explores the interaction between neuroscience and free will. First, it considers how freely willed actions should be defined. Second, it outlines current understanding of brain mechanisms preceding action, showing in what respects these mechanisms meet the philosophical criteria for freely willed action, and in what respects they do not. Finally, it concludes that the philosophical criteria themselves are based on two underlying psychological facts: human action involves complex mappings between environmental stimuli and goal-directed responses, and human action is associated with a range of quasi-perceptual experiences, classically called ‘motor attention’. These facts lie at the heart of our concept of conscious free will, and are directly related to the recent evolutionary development of the brain's frontal lobes.
Peter Carruthers
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199207077
- eISBN:
- 9780191708909
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199207077.003.0004
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind
This chapter begins by outlining the various challenges faced by the massive modularity hypothesis, most of which turn on one or another form of cognitive flexibility. It outlines the role of mental ...
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This chapter begins by outlining the various challenges faced by the massive modularity hypothesis, most of which turn on one or another form of cognitive flexibility. It outlines the role of mental rehearsal and inner speech in explaining stimulus independence, and it explores how language may play a role in integrating contents deriving from modular systems that would not otherwise communicate with one another. It outlines a two-systems theory of human reasoning processes, and explains how cycles of inner speech might serve to realize the operations of System 2. It also contrasts the views being defended with a variety of other proposals concerning the role of language in human cognition.Less
This chapter begins by outlining the various challenges faced by the massive modularity hypothesis, most of which turn on one or another form of cognitive flexibility. It outlines the role of mental rehearsal and inner speech in explaining stimulus independence, and it explores how language may play a role in integrating contents deriving from modular systems that would not otherwise communicate with one another. It outlines a two-systems theory of human reasoning processes, and explains how cycles of inner speech might serve to realize the operations of System 2. It also contrasts the views being defended with a variety of other proposals concerning the role of language in human cognition.
Wolfram Hinzen
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199289257
- eISBN:
- 9780191706424
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199289257.003.0004
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
‘Prior to function’ are structural preconditions that enter into the ordinary use of language, such as its communicative use. This dependence does not allow the explanation of language as a function ...
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‘Prior to function’ are structural preconditions that enter into the ordinary use of language, such as its communicative use. This dependence does not allow the explanation of language as a function of its communicative use. Claims of the social-externalist and Wittgenstein notwithstanding, the minimalist and internalist project is consistent with Wittgenstein's aims. The chapter rehearses well-known facts about the acquisition of language that set some boundary conditions for any theory of language.Less
‘Prior to function’ are structural preconditions that enter into the ordinary use of language, such as its communicative use. This dependence does not allow the explanation of language as a function of its communicative use. Claims of the social-externalist and Wittgenstein notwithstanding, the minimalist and internalist project is consistent with Wittgenstein's aims. The chapter rehearses well-known facts about the acquisition of language that set some boundary conditions for any theory of language.
Shaun Nichols
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- January 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195179675
- eISBN:
- 9780199869794
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195179675.003.0020
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Metaphysics/Epistemology
This chapter argues that the recent attempts to use Chomsky-style arguments in support of innate moral knowledge are uniformly unconvincing. The chapter proceeds as follows: Section 1 sets out the ...
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This chapter argues that the recent attempts to use Chomsky-style arguments in support of innate moral knowledge are uniformly unconvincing. The chapter proceeds as follows: Section 1 sets out the basic form of the central argument in the Chomskian arsenal — the poverty of the stimulus (POS) argument, as well as the conclusions about domain specificity and innate propositional knowledge that are supposed to follow. Section 2 distinguishes three hypotheses about innateness and morality: rule nativism, moral principle nativism, and moral judgment nativism. Sections 3–5 consider each of these hypotheses. It is argued that while there is some reason to favour rule nativism, the arguments that moral principles and moral judgment derive from innate moral knowledge don't work. The capacity for moral judgment is better explained by appeal to innate affective systems rather than innate moral knowledge. In the final section, it is argued that the role of such affective mechanisms in structuring the mind complicates the standard picture about poverty of the stimulus arguments and nativism. For the affective mechanisms that influence cognitive structures can make contributions that are neither domain general nor domain specific.Less
This chapter argues that the recent attempts to use Chomsky-style arguments in support of innate moral knowledge are uniformly unconvincing. The chapter proceeds as follows: Section 1 sets out the basic form of the central argument in the Chomskian arsenal — the poverty of the stimulus (POS) argument, as well as the conclusions about domain specificity and innate propositional knowledge that are supposed to follow. Section 2 distinguishes three hypotheses about innateness and morality: rule nativism, moral principle nativism, and moral judgment nativism. Sections 3–5 consider each of these hypotheses. It is argued that while there is some reason to favour rule nativism, the arguments that moral principles and moral judgment derive from innate moral knowledge don't work. The capacity for moral judgment is better explained by appeal to innate affective systems rather than innate moral knowledge. In the final section, it is argued that the role of such affective mechanisms in structuring the mind complicates the standard picture about poverty of the stimulus arguments and nativism. For the affective mechanisms that influence cognitive structures can make contributions that are neither domain general nor domain specific.
Thomas W. Cronin, Sönke Johnsen, N. Justin Marshall, and Eric J. Warrant
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691151847
- eISBN:
- 9781400853021
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691151847.003.0012
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
This chapter explains how orientation refers to an animal's ability to move or posture itself in a desired direction relative to its environment. The ability to orient is virtually a universal ...
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This chapter explains how orientation refers to an animal's ability to move or posture itself in a desired direction relative to its environment. The ability to orient is virtually a universal feature of animal life. Many animals go a step further and navigate through the environment, finding their way from their current location to a specific destination that might be meters or kilometers away. Orientation mechanisms, and even more those that underlie navigation, are often complex and multimodal, involving not only visual cues but also sensory information about gravity, magnetic fields, chemical stimuli, mechanical and auditory cues, and even internal stimuli. As for so many other aspects of visual ecology, many of the critical observations have involved invertebrate animals, but work on vertebrates is very active as well.Less
This chapter explains how orientation refers to an animal's ability to move or posture itself in a desired direction relative to its environment. The ability to orient is virtually a universal feature of animal life. Many animals go a step further and navigate through the environment, finding their way from their current location to a specific destination that might be meters or kilometers away. Orientation mechanisms, and even more those that underlie navigation, are often complex and multimodal, involving not only visual cues but also sensory information about gravity, magnetic fields, chemical stimuli, mechanical and auditory cues, and even internal stimuli. As for so many other aspects of visual ecology, many of the critical observations have involved invertebrate animals, but work on vertebrates is very active as well.
Tom Simpson, Peter Carruthers, Stephen Laurence, and Stephen Stich
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- January 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195179675
- eISBN:
- 9780199869794
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195179675.003.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Metaphysics/Epistemology
This introductory chapter reviews some of the debates in philosophy, psychology, anthropology, evolutionary theory, and other cognitive sciences that provide a background for the topics with which ...
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This introductory chapter reviews some of the debates in philosophy, psychology, anthropology, evolutionary theory, and other cognitive sciences that provide a background for the topics with which this volume is concerned. Topics covered include the history of nativism, the poverty of the stimulus argument, the uniform and structure pattern followed by human cognitive development, evolution biology, and cognitive modularity. An overview of the subsequent chapters is presented.Less
This introductory chapter reviews some of the debates in philosophy, psychology, anthropology, evolutionary theory, and other cognitive sciences that provide a background for the topics with which this volume is concerned. Topics covered include the history of nativism, the poverty of the stimulus argument, the uniform and structure pattern followed by human cognitive development, evolution biology, and cognitive modularity. An overview of the subsequent chapters is presented.
Jay A. Liveson and Dong M. Ma
- Published in print:
- 1999
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780195129243
- eISBN:
- 9780199847792
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195129243.003.0011
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Techniques
It is well known that the sensory cortex responds to peripheral input, and that sensory stimuli evoke a cortical response. In fact, in cases of myoclonic epilepsy, the response to a peripheral ...
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It is well known that the sensory cortex responds to peripheral input, and that sensory stimuli evoke a cortical response. In fact, in cases of myoclonic epilepsy, the response to a peripheral stimulus can be detected using standard electroencephalogram (EEG ) recording. In normal subjects, however, the responses are of much lower amplitude. The normal EEG activity and the normal “noise” in the recording devices are of high enough voltage to mask any evoked response. With the onset of averaging technology, these small potentials became detectable. The procedure is to time-lock a peripheral stimulus to another which triggers the sweep of a computer of average transients. Any evoked potential that recurs with a fixed relationship to this peripheral stimulus is summed by the computer. All non-related potentials, or random waves, are progressively diminished and eventually cancel out. Thus, with adequate averaging, smaller and smaller evoked potentials can be extracted from the background activity.Less
It is well known that the sensory cortex responds to peripheral input, and that sensory stimuli evoke a cortical response. In fact, in cases of myoclonic epilepsy, the response to a peripheral stimulus can be detected using standard electroencephalogram (EEG ) recording. In normal subjects, however, the responses are of much lower amplitude. The normal EEG activity and the normal “noise” in the recording devices are of high enough voltage to mask any evoked response. With the onset of averaging technology, these small potentials became detectable. The procedure is to time-lock a peripheral stimulus to another which triggers the sweep of a computer of average transients. Any evoked potential that recurs with a fixed relationship to this peripheral stimulus is summed by the computer. All non-related potentials, or random waves, are progressively diminished and eventually cancel out. Thus, with adequate averaging, smaller and smaller evoked potentials can be extracted from the background activity.
Susan Dwyer
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195310139
- eISBN:
- 9780199871209
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195310139.003.0015
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind
A nativist moral psychology, modeled on the successes of theoretical linguistics, provides the best framework for explaining the acquisition of moral capacities and the diversity of moral judgment ...
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A nativist moral psychology, modeled on the successes of theoretical linguistics, provides the best framework for explaining the acquisition of moral capacities and the diversity of moral judgment across the species. After a brief presentation of a poverty of the moral stimulus argument, this chapter sketches a view according to which a so-called Universal Moral Grammar provides a set of parameterizable principles whose specific values are set by the child's environment, resulting in the acquisition of a moral idiolect. The principles and parameters approach predicts moral diversity, but does not entail moral relativism.Less
A nativist moral psychology, modeled on the successes of theoretical linguistics, provides the best framework for explaining the acquisition of moral capacities and the diversity of moral judgment across the species. After a brief presentation of a poverty of the moral stimulus argument, this chapter sketches a view according to which a so-called Universal Moral Grammar provides a set of parameterizable principles whose specific values are set by the child's environment, resulting in the acquisition of a moral idiolect. The principles and parameters approach predicts moral diversity, but does not entail moral relativism.
James R. Hurford
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199216840
- eISBN:
- 9780191712043
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199216840.003.0014
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
Human languages are far more complex than any animal communication system. Furthermore, they are learned, rather than innate, a fact which partially accounts for their great diversity. Human ...
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Human languages are far more complex than any animal communication system. Furthermore, they are learned, rather than innate, a fact which partially accounts for their great diversity. Human languages are semantically compositional, generating new meaningful combinations as functions of the meanings of their elementary parts (words). This is unlike any known animal communication system (except the limited waggle dance of honeybees). Humans can use language to describe and refer to objects and events in the far distant past and the far distant future, another feature which distinguishes language from animal communication systems. The complexity of languages arises partly from self-organization through cultural transmission over many generations of users. The human willingness altruistically to impart information is also unique.Less
Human languages are far more complex than any animal communication system. Furthermore, they are learned, rather than innate, a fact which partially accounts for their great diversity. Human languages are semantically compositional, generating new meaningful combinations as functions of the meanings of their elementary parts (words). This is unlike any known animal communication system (except the limited waggle dance of honeybees). Humans can use language to describe and refer to objects and events in the far distant past and the far distant future, another feature which distinguishes language from animal communication systems. The complexity of languages arises partly from self-organization through cultural transmission over many generations of users. The human willingness altruistically to impart information is also unique.
Inah Lee, Raymond P. Kesner, and James J. Knierim
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195323245
- eISBN:
- 9780199869268
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195323245.003.0007
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience
This chapter seeks to establish the link, based on experimental evidence, between some of the key computational principles of the hippocampal subfields and their cognitive functions for episodic ...
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This chapter seeks to establish the link, based on experimental evidence, between some of the key computational principles of the hippocampal subfields and their cognitive functions for episodic event memory. It is shown that the firing patterns of hippocampal neurons are influenced not only by the external stimuli composed of spatial cues and their topological relationships but also by internal variables that influence the animal's behavior in space. In a goal-oriented, complex memory task, the internal context may encompass other variables, such as emotional variables and task demands, than simply idiothetic sensory cues (e.g., vestibular and proprioceptive inputs).Less
This chapter seeks to establish the link, based on experimental evidence, between some of the key computational principles of the hippocampal subfields and their cognitive functions for episodic event memory. It is shown that the firing patterns of hippocampal neurons are influenced not only by the external stimuli composed of spatial cues and their topological relationships but also by internal variables that influence the animal's behavior in space. In a goal-oriented, complex memory task, the internal context may encompass other variables, such as emotional variables and task demands, than simply idiothetic sensory cues (e.g., vestibular and proprioceptive inputs).
David E. Irwin and Laura E. Thomas
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195305487
- eISBN:
- 9780199894260
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195305487.003.0002
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
Visual stimuli not only remain visible for some time after their physical offset, but information about their characteristics also persists; that is, not only does something that looks like the ...
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Visual stimuli not only remain visible for some time after their physical offset, but information about their characteristics also persists; that is, not only does something that looks like the physical stimulus continue to persist for a brief time after stimulus offset, but information can also be extracted from the stimulus for a brief time after its offset in much the same way as when the stimulus was physically present. This latter type of persistence is usually called informational persistence. Visible persistence and informational persistence reflect related but different aspects of visual sensory memory. This chapter discusses the evidence behind this assertion and describes the current conception of these phenomena.Less
Visual stimuli not only remain visible for some time after their physical offset, but information about their characteristics also persists; that is, not only does something that looks like the physical stimulus continue to persist for a brief time after stimulus offset, but information can also be extracted from the stimulus for a brief time after its offset in much the same way as when the stimulus was physically present. This latter type of persistence is usually called informational persistence. Visible persistence and informational persistence reflect related but different aspects of visual sensory memory. This chapter discusses the evidence behind this assertion and describes the current conception of these phenomena.
Jie W Weiss and David J Weiss
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195322989
- eISBN:
- 9780199869206
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195322989.003.0018
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
A common research agenda for psychologists is to establish the empirical connection between stimulus and response. Response variability often threatens to obscure the connection. To surmount that ...
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A common research agenda for psychologists is to establish the empirical connection between stimulus and response. Response variability often threatens to obscure the connection. To surmount that challenge, behavioral researchers combine scores over subjects and/or occasions. The responses to a stimulus can be represented with a single value, an average. Averaging scores differs from averaging numbers in that behavioral issues are built into scores. The behavioral issues are the weight attached to a score and the metric on which the scores have been gathered. This chapter presents a single equation derived from Aczél's (1966) model of the quasilinear mean that encompasses the standard measures of central tendency. The equation allows for differential weighting of scores, and also addresses the metric issue by incorporating response transformation.Less
A common research agenda for psychologists is to establish the empirical connection between stimulus and response. Response variability often threatens to obscure the connection. To surmount that challenge, behavioral researchers combine scores over subjects and/or occasions. The responses to a stimulus can be represented with a single value, an average. Averaging scores differs from averaging numbers in that behavioral issues are built into scores. The behavioral issues are the weight attached to a score and the metric on which the scores have been gathered. This chapter presents a single equation derived from Aczél's (1966) model of the quasilinear mean that encompasses the standard measures of central tendency. The equation allows for differential weighting of scores, and also addresses the metric issue by incorporating response transformation.
Andrea S. Heberlein
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195188370
- eISBN:
- 9780199870462
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195188370.003.0016
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience
This chapter examines a set of related concepts, including judgments of animacy, judgments of agency or intentionality, and anthropomorphizing, focusing on the functional neuroanatomy of each ...
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This chapter examines a set of related concepts, including judgments of animacy, judgments of agency or intentionality, and anthropomorphizing, focusing on the functional neuroanatomy of each process. Anthropomorphizing can be viewed as an illusion: stimuli possessing certain features appear to automatically elicit attributions of mental states and other qualities associated with people, in the face of declarative knowledge that the stimuli are not only not human but, in many cases, inanimate. Studies of illusions are particularly useful in revealing the organization of perceptual processes. The chapter considers studies of anthropomorphizing — that is, the attribution of personhood and person-related features such as emotions, intentions, personality traits, and beliefs to inanimate objects. It gives particular attention to the neural circuitry underlying social attributions based on the kind of minimal stimuli described above, relating these findings to other social processes in which the same neural regions have been implicated. Finally, it proposes a framework relating judgments of animacy, agency or goal, and emotion.Less
This chapter examines a set of related concepts, including judgments of animacy, judgments of agency or intentionality, and anthropomorphizing, focusing on the functional neuroanatomy of each process. Anthropomorphizing can be viewed as an illusion: stimuli possessing certain features appear to automatically elicit attributions of mental states and other qualities associated with people, in the face of declarative knowledge that the stimuli are not only not human but, in many cases, inanimate. Studies of illusions are particularly useful in revealing the organization of perceptual processes. The chapter considers studies of anthropomorphizing — that is, the attribution of personhood and person-related features such as emotions, intentions, personality traits, and beliefs to inanimate objects. It gives particular attention to the neural circuitry underlying social attributions based on the kind of minimal stimuli described above, relating these findings to other social processes in which the same neural regions have been implicated. Finally, it proposes a framework relating judgments of animacy, agency or goal, and emotion.
Ian P. Howard and Brian J. Rogers
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195367607
- eISBN:
- 9780199867264
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195367607.003.0016
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive Psychology
Neighbouring images in the two eyes that are sufficiently similar are combined in the nervous system and passed on for processing to higher levels. The problem is to determine what stimulus features ...
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Neighbouring images in the two eyes that are sufficiently similar are combined in the nervous system and passed on for processing to higher levels. The problem is to determine what stimulus features are used by the visual system to relate images in one retina with those in a corresponding region of the other retina. For example, binocular stimuli may be treated as one stimulus only if they are similar in contrast, shape, colour, and motion. One can also ask whether image matching is done only locally or both locally and globally over wide areas. This chapter addresses these questions. Topics covered include correlating binocular images, local matching rules, and global matching rules.Less
Neighbouring images in the two eyes that are sufficiently similar are combined in the nervous system and passed on for processing to higher levels. The problem is to determine what stimulus features are used by the visual system to relate images in one retina with those in a corresponding region of the other retina. For example, binocular stimuli may be treated as one stimulus only if they are similar in contrast, shape, colour, and motion. One can also ask whether image matching is done only locally or both locally and globally over wide areas. This chapter addresses these questions. Topics covered include correlating binocular images, local matching rules, and global matching rules.
Ian P. Howard and Brian J. Rogers
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195367607
- eISBN:
- 9780199867264
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195367607.003.0001
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive Psychology
This introductory chapter begins with an overview of the chapters in these two volumes. Volume I deals with the basic visual mechanisms used in depth perception. Volume II deals with the perception ...
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This introductory chapter begins with an overview of the chapters in these two volumes. Volume I deals with the basic visual mechanisms used in depth perception. Volume II deals with the perception of three-dimensional space. This is followed by a discussion of basic terms and concepts: binocular vision and stereopsis, and binocular stimuli and processes. The chapter concludes with some guidelines for using the book and suggests other books on seeing in depth.Less
This introductory chapter begins with an overview of the chapters in these two volumes. Volume I deals with the basic visual mechanisms used in depth perception. Volume II deals with the perception of three-dimensional space. This is followed by a discussion of basic terms and concepts: binocular vision and stereopsis, and binocular stimuli and processes. The chapter concludes with some guidelines for using the book and suggests other books on seeing in depth.
Adele Goldberg
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199268511
- eISBN:
- 9780191708428
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199268511.003.0004
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Theoretical Linguistics
Advances to our understanding of statistical learning mechanisms were not envisioned in the 1960s when the notion that critical aspects of grammar were unlearnable became dogma in the field of ...
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Advances to our understanding of statistical learning mechanisms were not envisioned in the 1960s when the notion that critical aspects of grammar were unlearnable became dogma in the field of linguistics. This chapter joins the growing body of literature that detracts from the poverty of the stimulus argument by presenting evidence that the language input children receive provides more than adequate means by which learners can induce the association of meaning with certain argument structure patterns. Well-established categorization principles apply straightforwardly to this domain. This chapter outlines the first experimental studies to investigate novel construction learning. Results demonstrate that skewed input such that a single verb in a novel construction accounts for the preponderance of tokens, facilitates learners getting a ‘fix’ on the construction's meaning. One verb accounts for the lion's share of tokens of each argument frame considered in an extensive corpus study. In this way, grammatical constructions may arise developmentally as generalizations over lexical items in particular patterns.Less
Advances to our understanding of statistical learning mechanisms were not envisioned in the 1960s when the notion that critical aspects of grammar were unlearnable became dogma in the field of linguistics. This chapter joins the growing body of literature that detracts from the poverty of the stimulus argument by presenting evidence that the language input children receive provides more than adequate means by which learners can induce the association of meaning with certain argument structure patterns. Well-established categorization principles apply straightforwardly to this domain. This chapter outlines the first experimental studies to investigate novel construction learning. Results demonstrate that skewed input such that a single verb in a novel construction accounts for the preponderance of tokens, facilitates learners getting a ‘fix’ on the construction's meaning. One verb accounts for the lion's share of tokens of each argument frame considered in an extensive corpus study. In this way, grammatical constructions may arise developmentally as generalizations over lexical items in particular patterns.
Jay A. Liveson and Dong M. Ma
- Published in print:
- 1999
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780195129243
- eISBN:
- 9780199847792
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195129243.003.0013
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Techniques
An auditory stimulus can be used to study the peripheral and central hearing apparatus. In addition to neurologic evaluation, it can also be used to evaluate peripheral (conductive and sensorimotor) ...
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An auditory stimulus can be used to study the peripheral and central hearing apparatus. In addition to neurologic evaluation, it can also be used to evaluate peripheral (conductive and sensorimotor) hearing disorders. Clicks are used to sequentially activate the eighth nerve, followed by brainstem structures during the first ten milliseconds. The waves of the response (defined as positive upward peaks) correlate with brainstem regions. Wave I reflects acoustic nerve function. Waves II and III relate to structures in the pontomedullary region. Waves IV and V reflect function in the upper pons and low midbrain. Abnormalities occur if these structures are damaged, especially if myelin disease occurs. As such, the studies are especially useful in patients with acoustic neuromas, multiple sclerosis, brainstem gliomas, and trauma.Less
An auditory stimulus can be used to study the peripheral and central hearing apparatus. In addition to neurologic evaluation, it can also be used to evaluate peripheral (conductive and sensorimotor) hearing disorders. Clicks are used to sequentially activate the eighth nerve, followed by brainstem structures during the first ten milliseconds. The waves of the response (defined as positive upward peaks) correlate with brainstem regions. Wave I reflects acoustic nerve function. Waves II and III relate to structures in the pontomedullary region. Waves IV and V reflect function in the upper pons and low midbrain. Abnormalities occur if these structures are damaged, especially if myelin disease occurs. As such, the studies are especially useful in patients with acoustic neuromas, multiple sclerosis, brainstem gliomas, and trauma.
Jay A. Liveson and Dong M. Ma
- Published in print:
- 1999
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780195129243
- eISBN:
- 9780199847792
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195129243.003.0014
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Techniques
Visual evoked potentials provide a quantitative measure of the visual system. The function measured includes that of the optic nerve, through the optic chiasm and tract, to the lateral geniculate ...
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Visual evoked potentials provide a quantitative measure of the visual system. The function measured includes that of the optic nerve, through the optic chiasm and tract, to the lateral geniculate bodies, and the geniculocalcarine projection to the visual cortex. The use of small-sized stimuli tests the foveal region, emanating primarily from the central fifteen degrees. The most reliable information relates to lesions of the optic nerve, and is derived by individual testing of each eye. An important application of visual evoked responses is as a screen for multiple sclerosis lesions. Abnormalities have also been shown in other conditions such as glaucoma, parkinsonism, and cortical blindness. It can also be used to measure visual acuity in infants. Since the response relies on a visual image reaching the retina, it is important to screen initially for any significant decrease in visual acuity. If possible, this should be corrected. If not, flash stimuli may yield some information, although this may or may not be as sensitive a test.Less
Visual evoked potentials provide a quantitative measure of the visual system. The function measured includes that of the optic nerve, through the optic chiasm and tract, to the lateral geniculate bodies, and the geniculocalcarine projection to the visual cortex. The use of small-sized stimuli tests the foveal region, emanating primarily from the central fifteen degrees. The most reliable information relates to lesions of the optic nerve, and is derived by individual testing of each eye. An important application of visual evoked responses is as a screen for multiple sclerosis lesions. Abnormalities have also been shown in other conditions such as glaucoma, parkinsonism, and cortical blindness. It can also be used to measure visual acuity in infants. Since the response relies on a visual image reaching the retina, it is important to screen initially for any significant decrease in visual acuity. If possible, this should be corrected. If not, flash stimuli may yield some information, although this may or may not be as sensitive a test.
